Weathering and Erosion

The breakdown of the materials of Earth’s crust into smaller pieces.

Process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces by external conditions.

Types of Physical weathering◦ Frost heaving and Frost wedging◦ Plant roots◦ Friction and impact◦ Burrowing of animals◦ Temperature changes

CO2 dissolves in rain water and creates carbonic acid Carbonic acid easily weathers limestone and marble

Water weathers rock by slowly dissolving it

The Limestone Rock sucks in the sun’s heat and keeps the soil warm.

This means rare Mediterranean plants can grow in the Burren

The Limestone Rock sucks in the sun’s heat and keeps the soil warm.

This means rare animals such as Lizards are common in the Burren

Cave makes rain acidicSwallow Hole Limestone area in ClareStalagmite Crack in LimestoneCarbon Dioxide Grows from groundRainwater Underground passageThe Burren Block of limestoneLimestone Where a river disappearsStalactite Hangs on from roof of caveClint Main rock in the BurrenGrike Chemically weathers limestone

Iron combines with oxygen in the presence of water in a processes called oxidation

The product of oxidation is rust

Lichens that grow on rocks produce weak acids that chemically weather rock

Compounds from burning coal, oil and gas react chemically with water forming acids.

Acid rain causes very rapid chemical weathering

The process by which water, ice, wind or gravity moves fragments of rock and soil.

Rivers, streams, and runoff

Glaciers

Landslides, mudslides, slump and creep

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