Weathering

What is Weathering?

Weathering is the breakdown of rocks. It

turns bedrock into sediment - From big rocks
to smaller rocks.
The Two Types Of Weathering

● Physical Weathering – Just turn

rocks into smaller pieces- Only
changes size / shape / texture.

● Chemical Weathering – involves a

chemical transformation of rock
into one or more new compounds.
Frost Wedging

-Freezing and thawing of

water in cracks in the rock
that causes alternate
expansion and contraction of
rocks eventually breaking
them apart.
Plant Action/Biological Action -
- With plant growth the
root system will increase
in volume and cause
cracks in the rock to
expand
Wind Abrasion

- When wind causes sediments to

have collisions physical weathering
results
Water Abrasion

- Occurs in moist and humid

climates; produces rounded
and angular sediments
Ice Abrasion

Occurs in Polar Regions

specifically in glaciers when
sediments are trapped with
in the ice and scrape against
the bedrock forming
striations
Exfoliation/Pressure Unloading

- Decrease in pressure that

results from removal of
overlying rock; top layers
are removed releasing
pressure and the underlying
rocks then crack & fall apart
Oxidation

-Oxygen combines with

minerals to form oxides (iron
+ oxygen = Rust). This
weakens the bedrock making
it softer and susceptible to
weathering.
Hydration/Hydrolysis

-Minerals absorb water and

chemically change the
composition of the material
Carbonation

-When pollutants like Carbon

Dioxide, Nitrogen & Sulfuric
Oxides mix with rainwater
creating acid rain
Leaching/Dissolution –

-Water is unique and

dissolves most minerals and
metals in our environment.
Factors Affecting the Rates of
Weathering
• Climate Differences

• Particle Size and Shape

• Mineral and Rock Composition

Climate Differences

• Arid Climates- are very dry and the rate of weathering is slow.
• Humid Climates- are moist and the rate of weathering is fairly
fast
• Cold and Humid -Physical weathering is dominate at high
latitudes altitudes, or in the winter. -Frost Action and Glacial
Abrasion
• Hot and Humid - Chemical weathering is dominate near the
equator and in the summer. -Oxidation and Hydration
Particle Size and Shape

• Angular Sediments – have

more surface area and weather
at a faster rate

• Rounded Sediments – have

less surface area and weather
rate decreases
Mineral and Rock Composition

● Strong Chemical Composition-

- Some rocks are resistant to
weathering because of their
composition.

● Weak Chemical Composition--

Rocks that have strong
chemical compositions are
more resistant to weathering