Geologic Processes on Earth

Geologic Processes:

What causes the rock cycle and the continuos

alteration of Earth?
The dynamism of Earth attributed to its never ending
geologic process driven by internal and external
forces.
Geologic process are broken down into two
categories: exogenous(external) and
endogenous.(internal)
A. Endogenous Processes

The endogenous processes on Earth

takes place within or in the interior of Earth.
The endogenous processes on Earth are
responsible for earthquakes, development of
continents, mountain building, volcanic
activities and other movements related to
Earth’s crust.
Endogenous process that played a
role in the evolution of landforms
1. Magmatism- Magma is the original material that
make up igneous rocks. Magmatism happens when
magma is generated and develop into igneous
rocks.
2. Volcanism- it is the process that usually happens
after magma is formed.
3. Metamorphism- it is the process of changing the
materials that make up a rock. The chemical
components and geologic characteristics of the rock
changed due to heat and pressure.
B. Exogenous Processes

The exogenous processes occur on or

near the surface of Earth.
They are usually influenced or driven by
gravity, water, wind or organism.
Different types of Exogenous Processes
1. Weathering- it is the disintegration of rocks, soil
and minerals together with other materials through
contact with Earth’s subsystems.

Types of Weathering:

a. Physical weathering- is the breakdown of rocks

by mechanical forces concentrated along rock
fractures. This occur due to changes, whether
sudden or not, in temperature, pressure, etc.
Example of Physical Weathering

Salt Wedging Frost Wedging

Exfoliation
 b. Chemical weathering- is the process by which
rocks break down by chemical reactions.
Oxidation –the reaction of a
substance with oxygen
( important in iron-rich
rocks – reddish coloration like
rust )

Hydrolysis – the chemical

breakdown of substance when
combines
with water
c. Biological Weathering
– plants and animals contribute to weathering.

 Roots physically break or wedge rock

 Lichens (algae and fungi living as single unit),

remove minerals and weaken rock by releasing acids

 Burrowing animals can increase weathering.

Lichens
Different types of Exogenous Processes
2. Erosion- it is the process by which Earth’s surface is
worn away by wind, water or ice. The process of erosion
moves rock debris or soil from one place to another.
Erosion takes place when there is rainfall, surface runoff,
flowing rivers, seawater intrusion, flooding, freezing and
thawing, hurricanes, wind, etc.
Different types of Exogenous Processes
3. Mass wasting- this refers to the movement of large
masses of materials (rock, debris, soil, mud) down a slope
or a steep-sided hill or mountain due to the pull of gravity.
Different types of Exogenous Processes
4. Sedimentation- it is the accumulation of
materials such as soil, rock fragments and soil
particles settling on the ground.
This usually occurs in streams and sea erosion.
Landslides can cause
much destruction