chapter 5 weathering

weathering, erosion, and deposition

the breakdown of exposed rock into small fragments and dissolved ions is termed

weathering

lithification, the process by which sediments are turned into sedimentary rocks includes

compaction and cementation

the elevation of a mountain is slowly decreased by weathering and

erosion

precipitation of gypsum due to evaporation of seawater produces which kind of sedimentary rock?

chemical

grains become rounded primarily during

transportation

what type of clay is typically found in lake bottoms?

clay/mud

a fine-grained clastic sedimentary rock that splits into thin sheets is

shale

the primary differences between breccia and conglomerate is that conglomerate

possesses more rounded grains than breccia

dissolution occurs when minerals

are dissolved into water

which of the following does NOT reflect transport distance?

type of cement

biochemical limestones are dominated by carbonate mud and fragments of

skeletons of marine invertebrates made of calcite and aragonite

which type of weathering process is happening to materials when they rust?

oxidation

why does physical weathering speed up the processes of chemical weathering?

physical weathering produces fresh surfaces for chemical weathering to attack

clastic sedimentary rocks are primarily classified on the basis of

grain size

two major sources of energy, coal and oil shale, are considered ________ sedimentary rocks

organic

which of the following is a type of physical weathering?

thermal expansion

chemical weathering involves the breakdown of material due to

interaction with water or air

what type of weathering are you likely to find occurring in areas with cold climates?

frost wedging or freeze-thaw cycles

soil horizon _________ contains the most organic material

O horizon

the dust bowl of the 1930s was created by what phenomenon?

lack of vegetation

which soil horizon is the most important to farmers for planting crops?

A horizon

what is the most important factor in determining soil thickness?

climate

which area will tend to have the thickest soil?

rain forest

if the climate in an area has very little rainfall, what would be the characteristics of the soil in the area?

thin with very little organic material

which of the following is a reason why wet soils tend to have more organic material than dry soils?

plants and microbes need water to live so they can aid decomposition, wet soils provide better conditions for the breakdown of organic matter, leading to increased accumulation of organic material.