Earth’s external processes Mechanical weathering

Breaking of rocks into smaller pieces

Weathering-the physical breakdown
(disintegration) and chemical alteration
Types of mechanical weathering
(decomposition) of rock at Earth’s surface
• Frost wedging
• Unloading
Mass wasting - the transfer of rock and soil
• Thermal expansion
downslope under the influence of gravity
• Biological activity

Erosion- the physical removal of material

by mobile agents such as water, wind, ice,
or gravity
Products of Weathering

Chemical weathering Mineral Residual Material in

Products solution
Breaks down rock components and internal
Quartz Quartz grains Silica
structures of minerals
Feldspar Clay minerals Silica

Most important agent is water

Amphibole Clay minerals Silica
• Responsible for transport of ions and (hornblende) Limonite
molecules involved in chemical processes Hematite
Major processes of chemical weathering: Olivine Limonite Silica
Dissolution Hematite
• Aided by small amounts of acid in the water
Oxidation Rates of weathering
• Any reaction when electrons are lost from Factors affecting weathering:
one element 1. Surface area
Hydrolysis 2. Rock characteristics
• The reaction of any substance with water • Rocks containing calcite (marble and
• Hydrogen ion attacks and replaces other ions limestone) readily dissolve in weakly
acidic solutions
Alterations caused by chemical weathering: • Silicate minerals weather in the same
• Decomposition of unstable minerals order as their order of crystallization
• Formation or retention of stable materials 3. Climate
• Physical changes such as the rounding of • Temperature and moisture
corners or edges characteristics
• Chemical weathering is most effective
in areas of warm, moist climates
4. Differential weathering
• Rocks do not weather uniformly due to regional and local factors
• Results in many unusual and spectacular rock formations and landform

Weathering Page 1
 Soil
1. In many regions soil erosion is much
Composition of a “good” soil
greater than the rate of soil formation
2. Sedimentation and chemical pollution
• Related to excessive soil erosion
• Occasionally soil particles are
contaminated with pesticides
Soil = combination of mineral and organic
matter, water, and air
• Rock and mineral fragments produced by
weathering (regolith) that supports the
growth of plants
• Humus (decayed animal and plant
remains) is a small, but essential,
component
Factors controlling soil formation

The soil profile 1. Parent material

• Residual vs. transported soil

Soil forming processes operate from the 2. Time

surface downward • Amount of time for soil formation varies

Vertical differences are called horizons for different soils depending on geologic

zones or layers of soil and climatic conditions

• O horizon-organic matter 3. Climate

• A horizon-organic and mineral matter • Most influential control of soil formation

○ High biological activity • Key factors are temperature and

○ O and A horizons make up the precipitation

topsoil 4. Plants and animals

• Influence the soil’s physical and chemical

• E horizon-little organic matter properties

○ Zone of eluviation and leaching 5. Topography

• B horizon-zone of accumulation • Steep slopes often have poorly developed

• C horizon-partially altered parent soils

material • Optimum terrain is a flat to undulating

Collectively the O, A, E, and B horizons = upland surface

solum , or “true

Classifying soils
• Variations in soil formation over time and distances has led to a great variety of recognized soil
types
• Groups have been established using common characteristics
• In South Africa a system is used called the soil taxonomy

Weathering Page 2
 15% Clay; mortar cracks to wide cracks
35% Clay; serious to deleterious cracks

Classifying soils
• 73 soil types (1991 The Blue book)
• ARC/LNR Agricultural Research Council
• Soil type maps ( Colour plays a large role)
○ Mispah-shallow excavation depth
○ Arcadia-highly active black clay

Soil erosion
• Part of the natural recycling of earth materials
• Natural rates of soil erosion depend on
○ Soil characteristics
○ Climate
○ Slope
○ Type of vegetation

Variations in soil development

Weathering Page 3
 Figure: Idealized Soil profile

Weathering Page 4