SCI 245

Weathering: Refers to the movement of solids such rock, soil, mud, and other particles caused by agents of currents like water, ice or wind. Erosion:. Refers to the disintegration of soil, and mineral and rocks that are in direct connection with the atmosphere.

WEATHERING can be broken down into two categories: 1. Chemical Weathering – Is involved when a chemical change occurs in the mineral. The chemical reactions break the bonds that holds the rock together 2. Mechanical Weathering – Is involved when the physical qualities of the rock have been fragmented and disintegrated without having any chemical reactions. ***Both weathering types occur in one concurrence with one to another and the effects are extremely difficult to differentiate. EROSION results from gravity and the following 3 types of flowing agents: 1. Water Erosion – a set of natural courses that comprises of dissolution, abrasion, corrosion, weathering, and transportation of the material that has been worn away from the surface of the Earth. 2. Wind Erosion – refers to the transportation, deposition, and erosion of the Earth’s surface which brought about by the wind, especially during dust storms. 3. Ice Erosion - is typically caused by freezing of the water in the rocks’ fissures. Explanation of Weathering and Erosion

Chemical Weathering:  Is the breakdown of rocks (weathering) caused by chemical reactions.  Chemical weathering modifies the composition of the rock material found in the surface. A good example is clay. Mechanical Weathering: Breakdown or the erosion of rocks into smaller parts or fragments The changes are purely physical and no chemical reactions involved. Chemical Weathering Mechanical Weathering Different types of Weathering

Water Erosion refers to any erosion type caused by water. It includes the following: Splash Erosion: This type happens due to falling raindrops’ impact Sheet Erosion: Is a slow- acting erosion and happens when soil particles are conveyed by rolling in the ground by a thin film of water or sheet wash. Rill Erosion: This refers to the elimination of surface materials and changes them into another material. Gully Erosion: This refers to the type of erosion caused by running water. Stream Erosion: Refers to the elimination of surface matter through a stream passage. Different types of Erosion

Wind Erosion – Refers to the transportation, deposition and the erosion of the soil on the Earth’s surface by the wind. It happens especially during dust storms. Ice Erosion - is typically caused by freezing of water in rock fissures. Difference between Wind and ice Erosion

 Fossil content can usually be found on sedimentary rocks. Such fossils cannot be found in the crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks.  usually formed on the Earth’s surface  made possible when rock particles are moved by air, ice, wind and are placed on the dry lands and in the aquatic environments. Explanation of the role of the Plate Tectonics

US Geological Survey. (1999). Difference: Weathering & Erosion. Retrieved from on = Marlimiller. (N.D). Chemical Weathering. Retrieved from BCSSA. (N.D). Mechanical Weathering. Retrieved from html on The National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory. (N.D). Rill Erosion. Retrieved from Erosion and Sediment Control Measures. (N.D). Erosion Process. Retrieved from KSRE. (N.D). Wind Erosion. Retrieved from FLickr. (N.D). Ice Erosion. Retrieved from Sedimentary Rocks (N.D). Sedimentary Rocks Retrieved from References