GC255 Exam 2: Weathering and Erosion

mass wasting

the transfer of rock and soil downslope under the influence of gravity

erosion

the physical removal of material by mobile agents such as water, wind, ice, or gravity

types of mechanical weathering

frost wedging, unloading, thermal expansion, biological activity

frost wedging

alternate freezing and thawing of water in fractures and cracks promotes the disintegration of rocks

unloading

exfoliation of igneous and metamorphic rocks at the Earth’s surface due to a reduction in confining pressure

Thermal expansion

alternate expansion and contraction due to heating and cooling

biological activity

disintegration resulting from plants and animals

most important agent involved in chemical weathering

water

chemical weathering processes

dissolution, hydrolysis, oxidation

factors affecting weathering

climate, surface area, rock characteristics

what part of soil supports plant growth

regolith

solum (soil levels)

O, A, E, B, C