EXOGENIC PROCESSES

Weathering-It is the general term applied to the action of all processes that causes rock to
disintegrate physically and decompose chemically because of exposure near Earth’s surface
through the elements of weather such as temperature, rainfall, frost, fog, and ice. Weathering
begins as soon as rocks come in contact with one or more elements of weather. Gravity is the
only force that causes the materials to fall down.

Physical weathering-Happens whenever geological rocks are broken up into smaller

fragments without any chemical change in their composition. Also called as Mechanical
Weathering.

Examples of physical weathering:

 Block Disintegration- successive heating and cooling which causes the
expansion and contraction of rocks.
 Exfoliation- results because of the intense heating of the rock’s outer layers.
Due to successive expansion and contraction, the outer layers of the rocks
subsequently peel off.
 Frost action- One of the most important weathering processes in cold climates.
The alternate freezing and melting of water inside the joints of rocks, splits them
into fragments. This is because conversion of water into ice increases by 10
percent.

Chemical weathering-It is the chemical change in the rocks through formation of new
compounds or formation of new substances. These reactions occur particularly when water is slightly
acidic.

Examples of Chemical Weathering:

 Oxidation- Atmospheric oxygen reacts with the rock to produce oxides. The greatest
impact of this process is observed on ferrous minerals. Oxygen present in humid air reacts
with iron grains in the rocks to form yellow or red oxide or iron known as rusting of the iron
 Carbonation- Various types of carbonates are formed. Some of these carbonates are soluble
in water. This is the process of mixing water with carbon dioxide to make carbonic acid. This
process is important in making caves.
 Hydration-Water is absorbed by the minerals of the rock. Due to the absorption of water by
the rock, It’s volume increases and grains loses their shape.
 Solution- Is the process in which some minerals get dissolved in water. They
are therefore removed in solution.  It dissolves small amounts of carbon dioxide
from the air, forming a weak acid that is able to dissolve limestone. It dissolves
even more carbon dioxide as it seeps through the soil. Rock salt and gypsum
can be removed with this process.
 Biotic weathering- Type of weathering that is caused by living organisms. It is the weakening
and subsequent disintegration of rock by plants, animals, and human beings.

 Plants- The roots of the plants penetrate into the joints of the rocks. They grow
longer and thicker, exerting pressure and stress on the rocks and the rock joints
are thereby enlarged and break into smaller fragments.
 Burrowing Animals- Animals who dwell on burrows and holes breakdown the
rocks. These disintegrated rocks can easily be eroded or removed by wind.
Hooves of animals break the soil thus assisting soil erosion
 Human Beings- Play a very important role in weathering of various rocks. Man
quarries for mining minerals, thus helps in weathering by breaking, weakening,
and loosening the rocks.

Mass wasting- Refers to the downslope movement of rock and soil under the influence of
gravity. This is a result of Earth’s surface not being flat but instead consisting of slopes. Mass
wasting is a natural process and is considered a natural hazard.
• Mass wasting is controlled and triggered by moisture (water) and speed (rate). Water
destroys the cohesion of rock particles making them loose.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF MASS WASTING
• Fall- the free-fall movement of detached individual pieces of rocks. Common on slopes
that are too steep for loose material .
• Slides- occur when rock materials remain fairly coherent and moves along a well-defined
surface.
• Flow- happens when rock materials are saturated with water and move downslope as a
viscous fluid.
• The controlling factors in the last two types of erosion are the velocity and amount of
surface run off, erodability of the soil, nature of slope, the texture and structure of the
soil, nature of precipitation and vegetation cover. The speed and frequency of winds or
dust storms and vegetation cover are controlling factors in wind erosion. Sea waves are
responsible for eroding soils along the coasts formed by weak rocks such as limestone.
Changing river channels and snowfall especially in river basins and hilly regions may
cause substantial soil erosion.