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  • 0010 MOT Weathering

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    Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at Earth's surface through mechanical or chemical processes. Mechanical weathering involves physical disintegration of rocks into smaller pieces through processes like ice wedging or exfoliation without chemical alteration. Chemical weathering results in decomposition of minerals through reactions with water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, forming new minerals and dissolving soluble components. Weathering breaks down rock into sediment and soil and is influenced by climate, topography, and the type of rock material.

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    Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at Earth's surface through mechanical or chemical processes. Mechanical weathering involves physical disintegration of rocks into smaller pieces through processes like ice wedging or exfoliation without chemical alteration. Chemical weathering results in decomposition of minerals through reactions with water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, forming new minerals and dissolving soluble components. Weathering breaks down rock into sediment and soil and is influenced by climate, topography, and the type of rock material.

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    6 views21 pages

    0010 MOT Weathering

    Uploaded by

    fanelenzima03
    Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at Earth's surface through mechanical or chemical processes. Mechanical weathering involves physical disintegration of rocks into smaller pieces through processes like ice wedging or exfoliation without chemical alteration. Chemical weathering results in decomposition of minerals through reactions with water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, forming new minerals and dissolving soluble components. Weathering breaks down rock into sediment and soil and is influenced by climate, topography, and the type of rock material.

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    of 21

    PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

    WEATHERING
    THE DECOMPOSITION AND
    DISINTEGRATION OF ROCKS

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    What is WEATHERING?

    Weathering is the chemical alteration and


    mechanical breakdown of rock materials during
    exposure to air, moisture and organic matter.

    Soil is formed through weathering.

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Weathering!

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Aspects of weathering
     DISINTEGRATION: Physical/mechanical
    breakdown into smaller particles
    without alteration of the composition.

     DECOMPOSITION: Chemical breakdown


    and alteration of the minerals of the
    rock.

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Weathering granite

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    WEATHERING OF GRANITE
    GRANITE
    Quartz Feldspar

    No chemical Chemical weathering:


    Weathering: (Carbon dioxide + water)
    Grains
    liberated
    Kaolinite (new clay mineral -
    + not soluble in water)
    (new minerals, soluble
    Quartz grains Potassium compounds
    in water)
    (original mineral)
    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    DISINTEGRATION

     Mechanical or physical breaking down into


    smaller pieces.

     No chemical change to minerals, but


    surface area is increased.

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Sheet joints:
    “Exfoliation”

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Exfoliation and Sheet joints

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Ice wedging

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Ice wedging causes disintegration

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Running water causes erosion – the
    physical breakdown and removal of rock.

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Wind causes erosion and weathering

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Decomposition – chemical reactions
     OXIDATION: Add O2
     HYDRATION: Add H2O
     CARBONITISATION: H2O + C O2 forms
    carbonic acid which alters minerals.
     (REDUCTION):

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Decomposition –
    the rock ‘dissolves’

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Spheroidal weathering

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Climate and weathering

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Sinkhole formation

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    Sinkholes from decomposition of
    carbonate rocks.

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    The surface effect!

    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006
    MOT - Weathering
    Jac Genis-2006

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