Rocks, Weathering and Erosion

rock

a naturally occurring solid mixture of one or more minerals or organic matter

deposition

The process by which rock material is laid down

erosion

The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another

landform

A natural feature of the Earth's surface that has a distinct shape(examples: mountains, valley, hill, plain, mesa)

model

A representation of the features and actions of a natural system or process.

sediment

The eroded material that settles during erosion and weathering

weathering

The natural process by which atmospheric and environmental agents, such as wind, rain, and temperature changes, break down rocks.

physical weathering

When rocks break into smaller pieces without changing what the rock is made of. Can be caused by weather, water, gravity, freezing/expanding, or even animals

chemical weathering

When rocks are exposed to water, air, and living organisms; chemicals from these can change the minerals in a rock to new minerals or other materials (like rust)

rock cycle

The series of processes in which rock forms, changes from one type to another, is broken down or melted, and forms again by geologic processes

igneous rock

A rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies

sedimentary rock

A rock that forms from compressed or cemented layers of sediment

metamorphic rock

A rock that forms from other rocks as a result of intense heat, pressure, or chemical processes

composition

The chemical makeup of a rock; describes either the minerals or other materials in the rock