Geography B - Coasts: Weathering and Erosion

Weathering and Erosion definitions

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Freeze-thaw weathering
Water gets into a crack in the rock and freezes causing it to expand and put pressure on the rock. When the water thaws it contracts and releases the pressure. Repeated freezing and thawing widens the cracks and causes the rock to break up.
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Carbonation weathering
Carbonic acid present in rainwater reacts with rock that contains calcium carbonate so these rocks are dissolved by the rainwater.
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Hydraulic action (erosion)
Waves crash against rock and compress the air in the cracks which puts pressure on the rock. Repeated compression widens the cracks and makes bits of rock break off.
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Abrasion (corrosion)
Eroded particles in the water scrape against rock, removing small pieces
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Attrition (erosion)
Eroded particles in the water smash into each other and break off into smaller frangments. Their edges get rounded off as they rub together.
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Solution (corrosion)
Weak carbonic acid present in seawater dissolves some rock types (chalk and limestone)
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Carbonic acid present in rainwater reacts with rock that contains calcium carbonate so these rocks are dissolved by the rainwater.

Back

Carbonation weathering

Card 3

Front

Waves crash against rock and compress the air in the cracks which puts pressure on the rock. Repeated compression widens the cracks and makes bits of rock break off.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Eroded particles in the water scrape against rock, removing small pieces

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Eroded particles in the water smash into each other and break off into smaller frangments. Their edges get rounded off as they rub together.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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