Prentice Hall

EARTH SCIENCE

Tarbuck  Lutgens
 Weathering,
Chapter Soil, and
Mass Movements
5
 Erosion and weathering are major forces
that shape Earth’s surface.

 For example, the Grand Canyon was

formed through erosion by the Colorado
River running through it!
5.1 Weathering

Mechanical Weathering
 Mechanical weathering occurs when
physical forces break rock into smaller and
smaller pieces without changing the rock’s
mineral composition.
 In nature three physical process are
especially important causes of weathering:
frost wedging, unloading, and biological
activity.
What is weathering?

Weathering: The breaking down

of rocks into smaller pieces.
1. Mechanical /Physical
2. Chemical
So what is erosion?

Erosion:
The movement
of weathered
rock by wind,
water, glaciers &
gravity
5 Agents of Mechanical Weathering:

1. Release of Pressure
2. Freezing & Thawing
3. Animal Actions
4. Plant Growth
5. Abrasion
5.1 Weathering

Mechanical Weathering
1. Release of Pressure
• Reduced pressure on igneous rock
causes it to expand and allows slabs of
outer rock to break off in layers in a
process called exfoliation.
Unloading and Exfoliation
of Igneous Rocks
5.1 Weathering

Mechanical Weathering
2. Frost wedging
• The mechanical breakup of rock caused
by the expansion of freezing water in
cracks and crevices
Freezing & Thawing
When water in the cracks
of rocks freezes it
expands causing the
crack to enlarge or get
bigger. The ice melts &
refreezes over & over,
breaking the rock apart.
Frost Wedging
5.1 Weathering

Mechanical Weathering
3. Biological activity
• The activity of organisms, including plants,
burrowing animals, and humans, can also
cause mechanical weathering.
5.1 Weathering

Mechanical Weathering
3. Biological - Plant growth
Plant Root Growth
• Plants roots can grow into cracks in the rock,
slowly breaking them apart.
 Weathering and
Biological Activity
5.1 Weathering

Mechanical Weathering
4. Biological – Animal actions
Animals dig (burrow) through the ground to
make their homes. This loosens the soil &
breaks apart rocks.
5.1 Weathering

Sand-B
5. Abrasion lasting
Sand and other rock particles in wind,
water or ice can wear away exposed
rock surfaces.

Like sandblasting or sandpaper on

wood
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
 Chemical weathering is the breaking
down of rock through chemical reactions.
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
 5 Agents of Chemical Weathering
1. Water
2. Oxygen
3. Carbon Dioxide
4. Living Organisms
5. Acid Rain
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
 5 Agents of Chemical Weathering
1. Water – Water dissolves rock.
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
 5 Agents of Chemical Weathering
1. Water – Water dissolves rock.
2. Oxygen – Chemically changes rock
through a process called Oxidation.

Oxygen + Water + Iron = Rust

Rusted rock on hillside
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
 5 Agents of Chemical Weathering
1. Water – Water dissolves rock.
2. Oxygen – Chemically changes rock
through a process called Oxidation.
3. Carbon Dioxide – forms carbonic acid.
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
CO2 + rainwater = Carbonic Acid

Carbonic Acid weathers softer rock like

limestone & marble as it seeps into spaces in
rock.

Examples: Karst topography – caves, sinkholes

5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
Examples: Karst topography – caves, sinkholes
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
 5 Agents of Chemical Weathering
1. Water – Water dissolves rock.
2. Oxygen – Chemically changes rock
through a process called Oxidation.
3. Carbon Dioxide – forms carbonic acid.
4. Living Organisms -

The roots of plants make a weak acid that slowly

dissolves rocks around the plant.
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
 5 Agents of Chemical Weathering
1. Water – Water dissolves rock.
2. Oxygen – Chemically changes rock
through a process called Oxidation.
3. Carbon Dioxide – forms carbonic acid.
4. Living Organisms -
5.1 Weathering

Chemical Weathering
 5 Agents of Chemical Weathering
1. Water – Water dissolves rock.
2. Oxygen – Chemically changes rock
through a process called Oxidation.
3. Carbon Dioxide – forms carbonic acid.
4. Living Organisms - Lichen, mosses
5. Acid Rain – rapid weathering
5.1 How does Acid Rain form?
Acid rain dissolves granite
Acid rain dissolves limestone
and marble
Click
• http://classroom.synonym.com/effects-
acid-rain-cemetery-stones-19291.html
• http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/DNREC2000
/Divisions/AWM/aqm/education/airqualityL
esson6.pdf
• Summary & Quiz
5.1 Weathering

Rate of Weathering
Increased surface area = Increased weathering