Weathering Earth Science 2017

Analyze the next few slides and try to figure out whether the Features occurred as a result of A. weathering B. erosion C. deposition.

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Weathering Weathering is simply the breakdown of rock into smaller and smaller pieces. Rocks on the Earth’s surface are undergoing weathering all the time, either by mechanical means or by chemical means.

Mechanical Weathering Mechanical weathering is simply the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces by physical means. Agents or causes of mechanical weathering include: Ice - gravity Wind - plants Water - animals

Agents of Mechanical Weathering Explain how each of the following Causes mechanical Weathering: Ice (Define Ice Wedging) Wind, Water, and Gravity (Define Abrasion) Plants Animals

Chapter 10 Weathering Ice Wedging http://my.hrw.com/sh2/sh07_10/student/flash/visual_concepts/80127.htm Ice: The alternate freezing and thawing of soil and rock, called frost action, is a form of mechanical weathering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XnCTcjNpuc

Mechanical Weathering Abrasion: Abrasion is the grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or sand particles. Wind, Water, and Gravity: Wind, water, and gravity carry rocks, causing them to abrade against one another. http://my.hrw.com/sh2/sh0 7_10/student/flash/visual_ concepts/80130.htm https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=JA4BdLkiRtg

Mechanical Weathering (Biological ) Plants As a plant grows, the force of the expanding root becomes so strong that it can break a rock apart. Animals Almost any animal that burrows causes mechanical weathering by mixing and digging through soil and rock particles- breaking rock apart.

Animals and Mechanical Weathering Animals that burrow in the ground break up soil and loosen rocks to be exposed to further weathering-letting in air and water to speed up the process of weathering