76.

Talus slopes are primarily formed by the mechanical weathering process of frost wedging, where the
repeated freezing and thawing of water in rock fractures lead to the fragmentation of rocks, and gravity
causes the accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of slopes.

77. Environmental Factors Influencing Weathering Rate:

Temperature: Higher temperatures generally accelerate chemical reactions, increasing the rate of
chemical weathering. In cold climates, temperature fluctuations contribute to mechanical weathering
through freeze-thaw cycles.

Precipitation: Abundant rainfall enhances chemical weathering by facilitating the dissolution of minerals.
In arid regions, mechanical weathering is more prevalent due to temperature-induced stress and wind-
driven abrasion.

Vegetation: Plant roots can contribute to mechanical weathering by exerting pressure on rocks.
Additionally, the organic acids released by roots enhance chemical weathering.

Mineral Composition: The mineral composition of rocks influences their susceptibility to weathering.
Some minerals are more resistant, while others are more prone to chemical alteration.

Most Important Factor:

The most important factor influencing weathering rate is climate, particularly the combination of
temperature and precipitation. In warm and humid climates, chemical weathering dominates due to
increased rates of chemical reactions facilitated by higher temperatures and ample moisture. In cold
climates, mechanical weathering, especially freeze-thaw cycles, prevails due to temperature fluctuations
leading to the physical breakdown of rocks.

78. Weathering affects sedimentary rocks by breaking them down into smaller particles through
mechanical processes, altering their mineral composition through chemical processes, and contributing
to the formation of new sedimentary rocks through processes like lithification and cementation.

79. Caves and sinkholes are geologic features primarily caused by chemical weathering.

80. Hydrolysis in geology refers to the chemical reaction between minerals and water, resulting in the
alteration or breakdown of the minerals.

81. Dissolution in geology refers to the process where minerals or rocks dissolve in water, often leading
to the removal of soluble components.

82. The observation that shale weathers faster than limestone, resulting in the formation of an
overhang, is an example of differential weathering. Differential weathering occurs when rocks of
different compositions or resistance weather at different rates, leading to variations in the landscape.

83. Water Erosion:

Description: Running water from rivers and streams erodes and transports sediments, shaping valleys
and canyons.
Example: The Grand Canyon was carved by the erosive force of the Colorado River.

Wind Erosion:

Description: Wind carries and deposits sediments, creating features like sand dunes and wind-cut cliffs.

Example: The formation of sand dunes in deserts like the Sahara.

Glacial Erosion:

Description: Glaciers carve and sculpt the landscape through the movement of ice, creating valleys,
fjords, and cirques.

Example: The shaping of Yosemite Valley by glaciers during the last ice age.

Chemical Weathering:

Description: Chemical processes alter the composition of rocks, leading to the formation of new minerals
and landscapes.

Example: The dissolution of limestone by acidic rain, creating caves and sinkholes.

Biological Weathering:

Description: Living organisms contribute to weathering through activities like root growth and
burrowing.

Example: Tree roots breaking apart rocks, contributing to soil formation.

Tectonic Activity:

Description: Earth's crustal movements, including plate tectonics, uplift, and subsidence, shape the
landscape.

Example: The Himalayan mountain range formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic
plates.

Volcanic Activity:

Description: Volcanic eruptions can create new landforms such as mountains, calderas, and volcanic
islands.
Example: The Hawaiian Islands formed from volcanic activity associated with the Pacific Plate.

84. National Monument: Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Weathering Impact: Mount Rushmore has been affected by both mechanical and chemical weathering.
The granite faces of the four presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln) are exposed to
various weathering processes.
Mechanical Weathering:

Type: Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Impact: The region experiences freezing and thawing cycles. Water seeps into cracks in the granite
during precipitation. When the water freezes, it expands, exerting pressure on the rock. Over time, this
process can cause the granite to fracture and break apart.

Chemical Weathering:

Type: Exfoliation and Spheroidal Weathering

Impact: The granite at Mount Rushmore undergoes chemical weathering due to the presence of
rainwater and air pollutants. This leads to the decomposition of minerals in the rock. Exfoliation, a
process where outer layers of rock peel away, and spheroidal weathering, which produces rounded
boulders, contribute to the weathering of the monument.

85. Yes, a mold fossil, which is a cavity or impression left by the remains of an organism, can be
susceptible to erosion and sediment removal. If the surrounding sediment or rock undergoes weathering
or erosion, the mold fossil may be gradually exposed and eventually washed away or eroded. Factors
such as water flow, wind, and other erosional processes can contribute to the removal of sediments
containing mold fossils.