Exogenic

Processes:
Physicalz

Weathering
Learning Targets : At the end of the lesson, the students
will be able to define weathering and distinguish among the
main types of weathering.
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Weathering

 is the action of elements of weather and

climate over earth material.
Physical
z or Mechanical Weathering

 processes depend on some applied forces. The applied

forces could be:
(i) gravitational forces such as overburden pressure, load,
and shearing stress;
(ii) expansion force due to temperature changes, crystal
growth or animal activity;
(iii) water pressure controlled by wetting and drying cycles
of elements of weather and climate over earth material.
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Types of Physical
Weathering
Unloading and Expansion
z

 Removal of overlying rock load because

of continued erosion causes vertical
pressure release.
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 Temperature Changes
z

and Expansion
 The rise in temperature causes, every
mineral to expand and to push against its
neighbor and as the temperature falls, a
corresponding contraction takes place
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 Freezing, Thawing and
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Frost wedging
 Cycles of freezing and thawing (the weather
becomes warmer and causes snow and ice
to melt) causes frost weathering.
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Salt weathering

 Salts in rocks expand due to thermal

action, hydration and crystallization.
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Learning Experience
z

 Explain how weathering affects the

geological properties of the earth. Do
you think it has disadvantages or only
advantages? (20 pts)
Exogenic
Processes:
Chemicalz

Weathering
Learning Targets : At the end of the lesson, the students
will be able to define weathering and distinguish among the
main types of weathering.
 Chemical Weathering
z

 It can be due to solution, carbonation,

hydration or oxidation/reduction
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Types of Chemical
Weathering
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Solution
 This process involves removal of solids
in solution and depends upon the
solubility of a mineral in water or weak
acids
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Carbonation
 The reaction of carbonate and
bicarbonate with minerals and is
common process helping to break down
of feldspar and carbonate minerals.
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Hydration
 It is the chemical addition of water.
Minerals take up water and expand; this
expansion causes an increase in the
volume of the material itself or rock.
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Oxidation and
reduction
 In weathering, oxidation means a
combination of a mineral with oxygen to
form oxides or hydroxides.
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Learning Experience
z

 Look for an evidence of chemical

weathering near you, explain what
type(s) of chemical weathering exist. (20
pts)
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Weathering

 is the action of elements of weather and

climate over earth material.
Exogenic
Processes:
Biological
z

Weathering
Learning Targets : At the end of the lesson, the students
will be able to define weathering and distinguish among the
main types of weathering.
 Biological Weathering
z

 It is a type of weathering brought about

by various activities of living organisms.
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Types of Biological
Weathering
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Plants
 By Physical means, Roots of trees or plants in
general can biologically weather rocks by growing
into the cracks and fractures of rocks and soil.
 By Chemical means, the roots of plants grow
deeper into the soil tend to create cracks and
crevices in marbles and lime stones by producing
certain acids that can eventually degrade them.
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Animals
 By Physical means, burrowing animals create
holes on the ground by excavation and move
the rock fragments to the surface.
 By Chemical means, animals also make
possible the easy passage of oxygen and water
to the soil, which in turn, bring the dissolution of
soil, rocks, and rock particles alike.
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Microorganisms

 The minerals in rocks are liberated

when a fungus releases chemicals that
can break them down.
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Learning Experience
z

 Create a Venn Diagram that shows the

similarities and differences among the
different types of Biological Weathering.
(20 pts)