IGCSE GEOGRAPHY, 2016

Theme 2: The Natural Environment

Fettes College
4
th
form, booklet 1

GRADE:

TEACHERS COMMENTS:


NAME



Weathering
2
IGCSE GEOGRAPHY
Theme 2: The Natural Environment
WEATHERING


What is weathering?

TASK: Define the term weathering.















Weathering, unlike erosion, need not involve the movement of material.
What are the different types of weathering?








By the end of this topic you should be able to:

Recognise that weathering involves the breakdown of rocks in situ and, as such, should be
distinguished from erosion.

Describe what is meant by the different types of weathering
o Physical/ mechanical (freeze thaw action, exfoliation)
o Chemical (carbonation, oxidation
o Biological

Explain the main factors influencing the type and rate of weathering
o Climate (e.g. why is wreathing more rapid in humid tropical regions of the world than
temperate regions)
o Rock features (mineral composition, grain size, lines of weakness)

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MECHANICAL WEATHERING

Mechanical (sometimes also called physical) weathering: this involves the use of some naturally created force to
break the rock apart.







It is most likely to occur in areas of . where there is . to
....from extremes of weather.
Examples of physical weathering: freeze thaw; exfoliation

EXAMPLE 1: FROST SHATTERING (or FREEZE THAW)

All rocks have cracks, or joints, in them. Some are quite large and can be seen easily, whilst others are
microscopically small.
When water gets into these cracks and freezes (perhaps overnight as temperatures fall), it expands in volume. The
expansion of the ice causes an increase in pressure on the sides of the crack and, after many periods of alternating
freezing and melting, the pressure forces the crack a little bit further apart. Eventually pieces of rock break off.
TASK: draw an annotated diagram to illustrate the process of freeze thaw weathering
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TASK: Where is this type of weathering most likely to occur? (give a case study example)




































At a local level it is the single most damaging cause of potholes in our roads and footpaths.

The main product of this process is ____________ - angular rock fragments, When freeze thaw action affects
mountain slopes, the scree falls to the bottom and accumulates in loose slopes of rock fragments on the
mountainside.

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Example 2 Exfoliation or onion-skin weathering
Rocks are composed of different minerals and these minerals
expand and contract at different rates when they either heat up
during the day or cool down at night.
Rocks are very poor thermal conductors, therefore when they
are heated during the day, the expansion effects are confined to
the surface layers, encouraging the development of cracks
parallel to the surface. At night, the rock cools and contracts
and this cracks the rock further, at right angles to the surface.
TASK: draw an annotated diagram to illustrate the process of
onion skin weathering

TASK: Where is this type of weathering most likely to occur? (give a case study example)












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Biological weathering physical form
Biological weathering is a combination of both mechanical and chemical processes.















CHEMICAL WEATHERING
EXAMPLE: Chemical form of Biological weathering
Biological weathering is a combina on of both
mechanical and chemical processes.

The decay of leaves and other vegeta on creates a
number of organic, humic, acids which are carried
down through the soil by water. These acids are then
able to a ack the rocks beneath. This is an example of
the chemical form of biological weathering.

Even the niest bacteria, algae and lichens produce
chemicals that help break down the rock on which
they live, so they can get the nutrients they need.
The roots of plants and trees grow downwards through the soil and
can exploit the cracks in rocks beneath. As the plant or tree
_________, the _________________ and are more able to force the
crack _______________. Eventually the crack will break open
completely. Seeds can also fall into cracks in the rock, when they
____________ they grow and expand the cracks further.
This is an example of a _________________ of biological weathering.

Many _____________, such as Piddock shells,
___________________ for protection either by scraping away the
grains or secreting __________________________ the rock.

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CHEMICAL WEATHERING

Chemical weathering: this is when the presence of water allows certain
chemical processes to occur that cause an alteration in the chemical
structure of the rock.
It is the decomposition of rocks caused by a chemical change
within the rock.
It is more likely to occur in warm, moist climates, as these
encourage chemical reactions to take place
Examples: carbonation, oxidation, hydrolysis


1) CARBONATION




TASK: Explain the formation of limestone pavement













Pot holes, swallow holes and
shake holes
Carboniferous
limestone
features
Limestone
pavements
Limestone
gorges
Caves and
caverns
Stalac tes and
stalagmites
Intermi ent
drainage
Limestone features
formed as a result of carbonation
Clint
Clint
Clint
Clint
Clint
G
r
y
k
e

G
r
y
k
e

G
r
y
k
e

Gryke
Limestone pavement
Carbonation happens when the rock type is limestone. Limestone is made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO
3
),
and mud (clay)

All rainfall is slightly acidic, this is because naturally occurring carbon dioxide (CO
2
), in the air is dissolved in the
rainwater (H
2
O) to produce a weak acid, carbonic acid (H
2
O + CO
2
-> H
2
CO
3).


The weak acid dissolves the carbon carbonate in the limestone to form a solution, which is then washed away
as a solution of calcium ions (Ca
2+
) and hydrogen carbonate ions (HCO
3
-
). Any impurities in the limestone are
left behind as clay or sand.
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Carbonation is a natural process. BUT! The rate of carbonation can be
increased by air pollution from thermal power stations, industry and fires
these produce gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxides which makes
the rainfall more acidic than it would normally be. This is known as acid rain.

Acid rain can result in increased damage to buildings and statutes in urban
areas




OTHER TYPES OF CHEMICAL WEATHERING

2) OXIDATION

3) HYDROLYSIS



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WHAT FACTORS INCREASE THE RATE OF WEATHERING?

Weathering does not go on at the same rate everywhere.
Some rocks have many more cracks or lines of weakness in them and this means that there is a greater surface area for chemical weathering to attack. The weaknesses also make it
easier for exfoliation or freezethaw to operate.
The chemistry of the rock also has an important role, because this helps to gives the rocks their strength, and some minerals are far less affected by acids in the water.
In those parts of the world where it is very warm and wet, such as the tropics, chemical weathering is likely to be much more dominant than mechanical weathering.
On mountain ridges the presence of lots of water and temperatures fluctuating above and below freezing make mechanical weathering much more likely.
TASK: Draw a spider diagram to illustrate the reasons why weathering occurs at different rates
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A LITTLE REMINDER FROM 3
RD
FORM - WHAT ARE ROCKS?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/environment_earth_universe/rock_cycle/activity/
Rocks are made of grains that fit together. Each grain in the rock is made from a mineral, which is a chemical
compound. The grains in a rock can be different colours, shapes and sizes.


Granite has interlocking grains. Sandstone has rounded grains.

Some types of rock have ______________________________________that fit tightly together. Granite is a rock with
interlocking grains.

Other types of rock have __________________________________. Sandstone is a rock with rounded grains.

Porous rocks
Rocks with rounded grains are more ____________________________than rocks with interlocking grains. This is
because the water can get into the gaps between the grains. Rocks that absorb water are called
___________________

Rocks with rounded grains are usually _____________________________________than rocks with interlocking
grains. So porous rocks tend to be softer than non-porous rocks.

Porous rock grains

Rocks with interlocking grains are more likely Rocks with rounded grains are more likely to
to be hard and non-porous be crumbly and porous


THREE MAIN TYPES OF ROCK

1)


2)


3)

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ROCK TYPES

IGENOUS SEDEMENTARY METAMORPHIC
























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ROCK STRUCTURE
Can affect its resistance to erosion and permeability to water
RESISTANCE
Rocks have different strengths, so produce different landforms

The harder the rock is the more resistant it is to erosion. Harder rocks
therefore usually found as hills and mountains. The so er and less compact the
rock, the more likely it is to be broken up and worn away by the processes of
weathering.
At the coast, more resistant rocks
fromsteep cliffs, whereas less
resistant rocks from bays

In rivers, where the rock is more
resistant the valley sides will be
steeper

ROCK STRUCTURE
Can affect its resistance to erosion and permeability to water
PERMEABILITY

An Impermeable rock does not less
water pass through it. A permeable rock
does!

Permeable rocks may consist of
Tiny pores which allow the water to
pass through (e.g. chalk) porous
rock
Areas of weakness, such as bedding
planes which separate the different
layers of rock along which the water
can flow
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TASK: Explain how the rock structure will affect the rate at which weathering occurs

This question is asking you to explain why more resistant rock types (and see if you can tell me what types they are!)
weather more slowly than less resistant rock types.
You will also need to talk about permeability, explaining why permeable rocks will weather more quickly.

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PAST PAPER QUESTION


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