Weathering Terminology

Created by: Charlie Day 2013
Created on: 16-12-13 19:58

Weathering

The modification of the landscape in 'situ'. It is unlike erosion in that sediment is not transported but stays where it originally was.

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Physical (or chemical) weathering (two main types)

Freezethaw: when water seeps into the rocks cracks and freezes, expanding so that the rock is forced apart. Exfoliation: When cracks develop parallel to the land surface because of the reduction of pressure during erosion and uplift.

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Chemical weathering (three types and what is best conditions?)

Hydrolysis: uses water which reacts oxygen and minerals with the rock. Oxidation: Oxygen reacted with rocks to produce a softer rock type. Carbonation: rain water containing CO2 reacts with rocks and weakens it. Warm, damp climates with acidity best.

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Biological weathering (three types and how they succeed)

Plants: Put down roots through rock joints and breaks rock apart in growth. Animals: shell fish bore holes into rock for protection by scraping away at rock or secreting an acid which dissolves rock. Bacteria: chemically break rock to gain nutrients.

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Mass movement

The build up of weathering sediment is driven downhill by gravity causing slumping and sliding in a mass movement.

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

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Physical (or chemical) weathering (two main types)

Card 3

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Back

Card 4

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Back

Card 5

Front

The build up of weathering sediment is driven downhill by gravity causing slumping and sliding in a mass movement.

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Weathering Terminology