water percolates into cracks in the rock, when it freezes it expands in volume by 10%- exerting stress and forces cracks to widen. Rocks are broken away and collected at base of cliff (scree). Fragments are picked up by sea and use in further erosion
when saltwater enter a rock, it is often evaporated, leaving behind salt crystals. These crystals grow larger and exert stress onto rock- causing it to break apart. Salt is also capable of corroding rock
frequent cycle of wetting and drying are common on shore. Rocks rich in clay expand when wet and contracts when dry- causes cracks and breakdown
plant root can prise rocks apart on cliffs where they grow, creating small cracks which thicken and deepen with age. Birds, animal, and marine organisms dig burrows in cliff
7. Rotational Slip
movement of individual soil particles when the ground is saturated.
rapid movement of rock down a side plane
soft rock overlying hard rock is saturated by rain. Soft rock slumps downwards over hard rock
saturated soil flows downhill, triggered by heavy rain
8. Carbonation
plant root can prise rocks apart on cliffs where they grow, creating small cracks which thicken and deepen with age. Birds, animal, and marine organisms dig burrows in cliff
when saltwater enter a rock, it is often evaporated, leaving behind salt crystals. These crystals grow larger and exert stress onto rock- causing it to break apart. Salt is also capable of corroding rock
rocks such as limestone which contain calcium carbonate are slowly dissolved. Sea water forms a weak carbonic acid and when it absorbs carbon from air, it forms calcium bicarbonate which dissolve limestones.
frequent cycle of wetting and drying are common on shore. Rocks rich in clay expand when wet and contracts when dry- causes cracks and breakdown
9. Mudflow
rapid movement of rock down a side plane
individual rock fragments fall off a cliff face, due to freeze thaw
saturated soil flows downhill, triggered by heavy rain
movement of individual soil particles when the ground is saturated.
10. Biological weathering
frequent cycle of wetting and drying are common on shore. Rocks rich in clay expand when wet and contracts when dry- causes cracks and breakdown
water percolates into cracks in the rock, when it freezes it expands in volume by 10%- exerting stress and forces cracks to widen. Rocks are broken away and collected at base of cliff (scree). Fragments are picked up by sea and use in further erosion
plant root can prise rocks apart on cliffs where they grow, creating small cracks which thicken and deepen with age. Birds, animal, and marine organisms dig burrows in cliff
when saltwater enter a rock, it is often evaporated, leaving behind salt crystals. These crystals grow larger and exert stress onto rock- causing it to break apart. Salt is also capable of corroding rock
11. Rockfall
movement of individual soil particles when the ground is saturated.
individual rock fragments fall off a cliff face, due to freeze thaw
saturated soil flows downhill, triggered by heavy rain
rapid movement of rock down a side plane
12. Wetting and Drying
plant root can prise rocks apart on cliffs where they grow, creating small cracks which thicken and deepen with age. Birds, animal, and marine organisms dig burrows in cliff
when saltwater enter a rock, it is often evaporated, leaving behind salt crystals. These crystals grow larger and exert stress onto rock- causing it to break apart. Salt is also capable of corroding rock
frequent cycle of wetting and drying are common on shore. Rocks rich in clay expand when wet and contracts when dry- causes cracks and breakdown
water percolates into cracks in the rock, when it freezes it expands in volume by 10%- exerting stress and forces cracks to widen. Rocks are broken away and collected at base of cliff (scree). Fragments are picked up by sea and use in further erosion
13. Abrasion
breaking wave traps air as it hits cliff face. Air is forced into cracks in rock face, creating pressure at this point. As wave retreats, pressure is released. Overtime this weaken the cliff face, and huge chunks of cliff can break off due to force o
the already eroded materials are eroded down further as the sediment knock together in the sea
the sea hurls already eroded material (sand, shingle, boulders) against cliff face. This breaks down the rock on the cliff face
sea water contains weak acids which work to slowly dissolve carbonated rocks such as limestone
14. Soil Creep
individual rock fragments fall off a cliff face, due to freeze thaw
slow downhill movement of individual soil particles when the ground is saturated.
saturated soil flows downhill, triggered by heavy rain