sub aerial processes and marine processes

What is weathering?

Weathering is the breakdown of rock in its place of origin (in-situ).

What are the three main types of weathering?

Mechanical, Biological, and Chemical.

What is mechanical weathering?

When rocks break up with no chemical changes.

What causes biological weathering?

Rock breakdown due to organic activity.

What is chemical weathering?

Rock breakdown due to a chemical reaction.

What is freeze-thaw weathering?

A process where water freezes in cracks of rocks, causing them to break apart.

What occurs during salt crystallisation?

Salt crystals grow larger than water molecules causing pressure and breakdown of rock.

What is exfoliation weathering?

Rocks expand during the day and contract at night, leading to thin flakes breaking off.

What is carbonation in chemical weathering?

When rain reacts with carbonate rocks like limestone, causing them to dissolve.

What is oxidation in chemical weathering?

When iron minerals in the rock react with oxygen in the air to cause rusting.

What is soil creep?

The gradual downhill movement of soil, common in humid climates, moving less than 1cm per year.

What are the characteristics of a slide in mass movement?

A movement of material 'en masse' which remains together until it reaches the bottom.

What is marine erosion?

Destructive waves erode the coastline, eroding softer rock faster than harder rock.

What is hydraulic action in marine erosion?

A process where sea water forces air into cracks in the rock, causing the pressure to expand them.

What is longshore drift?

The main process of deposition and transportation along the coast, influenced by the prevailing wind.

What happens during marine deposition?

Deposition occurs when waves lose energy, allowing sediment to settle.

What leads to the types of sediment deposited on high energy coastlines?

High energy coastlines deposit large rocks and shingle while maintaining energy for smaller sediment.