Erosion
Bryce Canyon formed by erosion, the process that wears down and carries away rock and soil. Erosion cuts canyons through solid rock and wears away the cliffs above beaches.
Erosion acts through weathering the force of gravity, and through the movement of streams, groundwater, glaciers, wind, and waves. Over time erosion can break down tallest mountains. The end product of erosion is sediment.
Erosion acts through weathering the force of gravity, and through the movement of streams, groundwater, glaciers, wind, and waves. Over time erosion can break down tallest mountains. The end product of erosion is sediment.
Mechanical Weathering
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WeatheringErosion starts with weathering. Weathering is the process by which rocks are chemically altered or physically broken down into fragments at or near Earth’s surface. There are 2 forms of weathering, mechanical and chemical.They cause rocks to disintegrate or decompose.
Mechanical Weathering Mechanical weathering is the process of physically breaking rock into smaller fragments. Mechanical weathering occurs through frost wedging, abrasion, growth of plant roots, and other process.The most common form of mechanical weathering is frost wedging. The expansion of water into ice pries open cracks that the water has spread into. Frost wedging is important for the weathering in the mountains,where water freezes at night, ice melts at day. Another form of mechanical weathering, called abrasion, occurs when rocks scrape or grind against one another. Plant roots can also be way of mechanical weathering by the growth of the root. Chemical Weathering Chemical Weathering is a process in which rock is broken down by chemical reaction. Chemical weathering involves chemical reaction the dissolves in minerals making up rocks or changing minerals. Eventually the rocks crumble and disintegrate. Water is the main agent of chemical weathering and an effective solvent. All minerals dissolve in water very slowly. Chemical weathering also occurs because rain is slightly acidic. Water and carbon dioxide combine makes carbolic acid which dissolves many minerals such as calcite. The rate at which mechanical and chemical weathering take place depends on 3 main factors: temperature, availability of water, and type of rock. Chemical weathering occurs more rapidly in places with high temperatures and abundant rainfall. These condition generally speed up chemical reaction.Mechanical weathering occurs faster in temperature conditions frequently alternate between freezing and thawing. The rate of weathering also depends on the kind of rock. Rocks such as limestone and marble are composed primarily of calcite which reacts on carbonate acid. |
Other Examples of Weathering
Mass Movement
Mass Movement is the downward movement of rock and soil due to gravity.Through the process of mass movement, gravity moves loose material down a slope.
Landslides
Landslides is the rapid movement of large amounts of rock and soil.Landslides occur after heavy rain or after earthquake loosen materials on a steep slope.
Mud flows
Mud flows are the rapid mass movements of soil and other sediment mixed with water.
Mud flows occur in areas where fine sediment has collected in thick layers. After a heavy rainfall, the sediment mixed with water washes down the slope.
Creep
Creep occurs when soil gradually moves down a slope. Creeps occurs because of the formation of ice. Each time the ground freezes, the soil expands outwards and slowly moves down hill.
Slumping
Slumping occurs when weak layers of soil or rock suddenly move downslope as a single unit. Gravity acting on water saturated soil and rock causes slumping.
Mass Movement is the downward movement of rock and soil due to gravity.Through the process of mass movement, gravity moves loose material down a slope.
Landslides
Landslides is the rapid movement of large amounts of rock and soil.Landslides occur after heavy rain or after earthquake loosen materials on a steep slope.
Mud flows
Mud flows are the rapid mass movements of soil and other sediment mixed with water.
Mud flows occur in areas where fine sediment has collected in thick layers. After a heavy rainfall, the sediment mixed with water washes down the slope.
Creep
Creep occurs when soil gradually moves down a slope. Creeps occurs because of the formation of ice. Each time the ground freezes, the soil expands outwards and slowly moves down hill.
Slumping
Slumping occurs when weak layers of soil or rock suddenly move downslope as a single unit. Gravity acting on water saturated soil and rock causes slumping.