Earth Processes

and
Weathering
 EARTH PROCESSES
-are dynamic processes at
work in the earth's landforms
and surfaces. The mechanisms
involved, weathering, erosion,
and plate tectonics, combine
processes that are in some
respects destructive and in
 Examples
Of
Earth Processes
 ROCK CYCLE
The process in which rocks
are continuously transformed
between the three rock types
igneous, sedimentary and
metamorphic.
 EROSION
The process by which the
surface of the Earth gets
worn down. Erosion can be
caused by natural elements
such as wind and glacial ice.
 CEMENTATION
Involves ions carried in groundwater
chemically precipitating to form new
crystalline material between
sedimentary grains. The new pore-
filling minerals forms "bridges"
between original sediment grains,
thereby binding them together.
 VOLCANISM
The phenomenon of eruption of
molten rock onto the surface of the
Earth or a solid-surface planet or
moon, where lava, pyroclastics and
volcanic gases erupt through a
break in the surface called a vent.
 METAMORPHISM
The change of minerals or geologic
texture in pre-existing rocks, without
the protolith melting into liquid
magma. The change occurs primarily
due to heat, pressure, and the
introduction of chemically active
fluids.
 COMPACTION
The process of applying
mechanical energy to a soil mass
so as to rearrange the particles
and making it dense through the
expulsion of air from the voids
between the soil grains.
MOUNTAIN FORMATION

The geological processes

that underlie
the formation 
of mountains.
SEAFLOOR SPREADING
A process that occurs at mid-
ocean ridges, where new oceanic
crust is formed through volcanic
activity and then gradually moves
away from the ridge.
 SALTATION
A specific type of particle transport
by fluids such as wind or water. It
occurs when loose materials are
removed from a bed and carried by
the fluid, before being transported
back to the surface.
RIVER REJUVENATION
A river is said to be rejuvenated
when it is eroding the landscape in
response to a lowering of its base
level. The process is often a result of
a sudden fall in sea level or the rise
of land.
Weathering
and
Erosion
Weathering is the break-
up of rock due to exposure
to the atmosphere.
Weathering involves two
processes that often work
together to decompose
or break down rocks.
Chemical and Mechanical
Weathering
 Chemical weathering, or
decomposition, takes place
when at least some of the
rock’s minerals are changed
into different substances.
Chemical processes include
rain, acid etching by plants,
oxidizing, and
demineralizing by water.
 Chemical
Weathering
 Mechanical weathering, or
disintegration, involves physically
breaking rocks into fragments
without changing the chemical
make-up of the minerals within
them.
 There are four main sources of
power for mechanical weathering.
Gravity, Water, Wind, & Waves
Of these, water appears to be the
leader in changing the surface.
If a particle is loosened by weathering,
but stays put, its just weathering. If it
starts moving, its Erosion.
Mechanical weathering processes,
many of which are erosional,
include some of the following.
Frost Wedging

The freezing
and thawing
of water in
cracks.
Mechanical Exfoliation
The peeling
off of sheets
of rock as
they expand
and crack.
Crystal Growth Wedging
It involves
salt crystals
growing from
salty waters.
Crystal Growth Wedging
Usually
occurs near
coastlines as
it has on this
granite.
Root Penetration
Plant roots have to be strong to survive
the elements.
Root Penetration
Powerful
plant roots
grow into
rock cracks
and cause
fractures.
 Abrasion
Both wind and
water can
cause
abrasion as
rock
fragments
bounce off
 Abrasion
This “moon
looking”
picture of an
Antarctic rock,
shows
weathering
from the wind
 Glacial Weathering
Glaciers and avalanches can
cause weathering as ice and
rock interact.
 Other Agents of Weathering
Things like
flash floods,
mud slides,
landslides,
and other
forms of mass
wasting can