LOCATED IN CENTRAL TEXAS WHAT’S HAPPENING?  Exfoliation – mechanical weathering has caused the rock to “peel” in sheets. This was caused by contracting and expanding during heating and cooling in the temperature  The weathering of sedimentary rock has exposed the granite dome underneath  Other types of mechanical weathering present – plant roots

RAINWATER MIXES WITH CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND SOILS TO FORM CARBONIC ACID (H2CO3), WHICH ACTS TO DISSOLVE AWAY LIMESTONE. Georgetown- Inner Space Cavern

Chemical Weathering  Natural Bridge Caverns in Texas

Erosion A gorge is a ravine with nearly vertical walls. This gorge was cut when heavy rains pushed a flood over Canyon Lake Dam in central Texas in 2002.

 One of the windiest regions in the US  Low vegetation, so high wind erosion  Palo Duro Canyon  Formed by water erosion

Physical Weathering  Physical/Mechanical weathering -the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces (wind, flowing water, ice, gravity, animals/plants, temperature changes) Physical Weathering The steep walls here were carved out by moving water Palo Duro Canyon in the High Plains EcoRegion

Davis Mountains – formed from volcanic activity Guadalupe Mountains – formed by fossilized coral reef Big Bend– Water erosion from the Rio Grande River Big Bend– Ancient swamp, current desert

Big Bend - the warm red and brown colors of igneous rocks show oxidation, oxygen reacting with iron forming rust Big Bend– limestone cliff eroded by carbonic acid Water droplets capture carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid

 Due to abundant vegetation that holds the soil in place, there is very little erosion

Wave action, a cause of weathering, erosion and deposition, is constant along the Texas Coastline. Sediments are weathered and eroded along beaches and carried out into the ocean to form sand bars and islands Galveston Beach Mustang Island was formed by erosion and deposition Sand dunes in Padre Island

Before Ike After Ike

Erosion Galveston Texas before/after Hurricane Ike