Weathering & Erosion

A set of flashcards covering key concepts of weathering and erosion from the lecture notes.

Erosion

The process of moving weathered rocks from one place to another.

Weathering

The process of breaking down rocks into tiny pieces.

Freeze-Thaw Weathering

Type of weathering where water enters cracks and breaks the rock.

Thermal Expansion

Weathering that breaks the rock due to rapid heating and cooling.

Exfoliation

The peeling of the upper layers of the rock due to pressure.

Abrasion

Weathering caused by rocks rubbing against each other and chipping off small particles.

Hydrolysis

Weathering of rocks caused by the reaction of minerals and acid water.

Oxidation

Type of chemical weathering that involves breaking down rocks due to the reaction of minerals and oxygen.

Agents of Erosion

Natural forces that cause erosion, including water, wind, gravity, and glaciers.

Sediments

What rocks become when they are weathered.

Magma

What igneous rocks turn into when heated.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock formed from other types of rocks due to extreme heat and pressure.

Compaction and Cementation

Processes through which metamorphic rocks can become sedimentary rocks.

Sedimentary Rock

What happens to sediments when they are compacted and cemented.

Contour Plowing

A method in controlling weathering and erosion involving the planting of crops at the sides of mountains or hills.

Terracing

A method in controlling weathering and erosion that involves building stair-like structures on steep hills.

Positive Effects of Erosion

Benefits of erosion such as the formation of soil and transfer of soil nutrients.

Mechanical Weathering

The type of weathering that involves the physical breaking of rocks.

Crop Rotation

The practice of planting different types of crops in the fields each season.

Haloclasty Weathering

Weathering that occurs when freshwater enters rock cracks and leaves salt crystals.