Weathering and Erosion

Weathering: break-up of rox from exposure to atmosphere

• A)mechanical: break into smaller pieces w/o changing composition–frost action–plant growth–abrasion (rubbing)

Frost Action

Plant Growth

B) Chemical weathering: rock changes into a different substance

• Hydrolysis: rock reacts w/water–mica clay

• Oxidation:reacts w/oxygen–-rust

• carbonation: reacts w/carbon dioxide–dissolves carbonate rocks (limestone)

Oxidation

Carbonation

Carbonation: Acid Rain

Karst Topography

Karst Topography• Occurs in limestone bedrock

• limestone easily weathers chemically (carbonation) by weak acids in groundwater

• landforms created:–caverns–sinkholes–disappearing rivers

Cavern

Stalactites

Stalagmites

Sinkholes

Weathering is a slow process

• Fastest when

–warm, wet climate

–big temperature changes

–steep slopes

–little vegetation

Erosion: movement of weathered material• Gravity

• ice

• water

• wind

Gravity: Landslide

Gravity: Talus

Water Erosion

Water Erosion

Wind Erosion

Deposition: