WEATHERING, RIVERS

AND COASTS.
• In this unit you will learn about;

•Different types of weathering

•How material is eroded, transported and deposited.
•How rivers shape the land.
•How the sea shape the coast.
•The problems of coastal erosion.
•How coastal erosion may be reduced.
What are rivers and coasts like?
RIVERS

• Make a list of words to

describe the photos.
• Which place would you like to
visit? Why?
• Which do you think looks the
most dangerous.? Why?
How do the photos show the
power of water on the sea?
What is a river?

• A river is a moving body of water that flows

from its source on high ground, across
land, and into a mouth (another body of
water, which could be a lake, the sea,
an ocean or even another river.)
 WEATHERING
• The surface of the earth and
the landscapes we see around
us not only differ from place to
place, but they are changing all
the time.
• Rain, sun, wind and frost
constantly break down the
rocks.
Great mountain ranges get worn
down, valleys are made wider and
deeper, and coastline are changing.
 What is weathering?
• Weathering is the breaking up of rocks into smaller and
smaller pieces by the action of climate (rain, sun, wind and
frost),chemicals and animals

• Erosion is the wearing away of the land (weathered materials).

• Erosion is the physical removal and transportation of

weathered material by water, wind, ice, or gravity.
 Types of weathering.

There are three types of weathering.

1. Physical/ Mechanical weathering: refers to the process
of rocks breaking apart without changing their chemical
composition.
2. Biological weathering: this is caused by plants and
animals
3. Chemical weathering: the breaking of rocks by
chemical action.
 PHYSICAL/ MECHANICAL WEATHERING.

1. Freeze-thaw weathering: This occurs when rocks

are porous (contain holes) or permeable (allow water to
pass through).
Freeze-Thaw
Rain and sea water can get into cracks
in the rock. In cold weather, this water
freezes at night and turns to ice. The
ice thaws in the day and becomes
water again, but often freezes again
the following night. The process is
repeated many times.

Because water expands when it

freezes and turns to ice, this continual
expansion and contraction can put
pressure on rocks and break them
apart. It is also known as frost Use your Freeze-Thaw Activity Sheet
shattering. to explore this process further
Exfoliation/ Onion-skin weathering
2. Exfoliation breaks up rock because of hot temperatures.
• This happens when a rock is repeatedly heated and cooled. As it is heated
the outer layer of the rock expands and as it cools the rock contracts.

This is also known as “Onion-skin

weathering” because the layers
peel off like an onion.
BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING
• Biological weathering occurs when plants and animals break up rocks.
• Tree roots can get very thick and strong underground. They make their way
into the cracks in a rock and can force it to break.
• Burrowing creatures like shrews, moles, earthworms, and even ants aid in
biological weathering.
CHEMICAL WEATHERING

• This is caused by the action of water.

• Rainwater and seawater contains small amount of acid. When it
comes into contact with rock the acid attacks it and causes rock to rot
and crumble away.
CLASS ACTIVITY EXERCISE

1. Define the following terms

a) weathering
b) Erosion
c) Deposition
d) Exfoliation
2. Mention and explain the three types of weathering.
3. Explain how waterfall is formed.
4. What are the three functions of sea waves in shaping the coast?
 Name the features in diagram C
1. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
4. ________________________
5. ________________________
 ACTIVITY
1. . Explain the difference between weathering and erosion
2
3. Show how root action can break up rocks, by adding the following
labels to the correct boxes.
Tree grows
Roots break up
rocks
Crack gives
moisture and Seeds blow into
Roots develop
shelter crack