WEATHERING (PT.1)

Weathering

The process where rocks break down into smaller pieces called scree

Weathering + Erosion

Denudation

Denudation

The process of removing the layers of the Earth through erosion, weathering, and transportation of materials

Can occur from

Water, wind, ice, and gravity

Ex. (Denudation)

Cardiel Lake, Argentina

Mechanical Weathering

The process where rocks break down due to rocks or heat

Ex. (mechanical weathering)

Freeze-Thaw Action

Freeze-Thaw Action

Rainwater seeps into rock cracks and freezes at night, expanding and widening the gaps

When it thaws during the day

It seeps deeper

The cycle

Of freezing and thawing eventually causes pieces of rock to break off and fall downhill.

Chemical Weathering

The process where rocks break down due to chemicals

Ex. (Chemical Weathering)

Carbonation and Acid Rain

Carbonation

Occurs when rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide and forms weak carbonic acid

Weak acid dissolves

Rock, especially limestone

Rain + Carbon Dioxide

Weak Carbonic Acid

Karst is formed because

Sedimentary rock is permeable and clints and grikes form on the surface

Karst

A region of exposed limestone

Ex. (karst)

The Burren, Co. Clare

Biological Weathering

The process where weathering is accelerated because of living things