MechanicalChemicalBiological

Rocks eventually form sedimentRocks - stationary

Definition Mechanisms

Produces finer particles by fracturing rock

Mineral composition remains the same

Abrasion (grinding)

Crystallization (frost shattering)

Thermal fracturing (rapid heat change)

Hydration (Expansion of water)

Exfoliation (pressure release jointing)

Definition Processes

Chemical reactions transform rocks and minerals into new chemical combinations that are stable under prevailing conditions at or near the Earth's surface.

Rock disintegrates

Hydrolysis & Hydration (involve water)

Oxidation & Reduction (combines with O or loss of O)

Solution/Dissolution (carbonates & carbon dioxides combine with form carbonic acid)◦ CO2 + H2O = H2CO3  

Chemical weathering Not all minerals are prone to chemical weathering

Faster in warmer climates HeatWater

Definition Photo Examples

Biological weathering can be considered special types of mechanical or chemical weathering

Action of living organism Plants & Animals Bacteria, algae and lichens

Secrete acids, chemicals

Definition Agents

Removal and movement of earth materials by natural agents.

Some of these agents include glaciers, wind, water, earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, mud flows, and avalanches.

Water Wind Glaciers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/3079.bb.rm

Chandeleur Islands

Weathering 2 processes No movement

Mass WastingMovement of rock particle – gravity

ErosionFlowing Agent

Splash erosion Sheet erosion Fluvial erosion Waves Glacial erosion

AbrasionPlucking

Waves in oceans and other large bodies of water cause coastal

erosion. The power of ocean waves is awesome; large storm waves can produce 2000 pounds of pressure per square foot. The pure energy of waves along with the chemical content of the water is what erodes the rock of the coastline. Aeolian Erosion

Wave action in Calvert County Maryland

Aeolian Erosion – Wind erosion, sand dunes

Effects of mechanical weathering http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1201/es1201page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

Effects of chemical weathering http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1202/es1202page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

Landscape formed by erosion http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1205/es1205page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

Sediment transfer – flowing water http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1303/es1303page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

Channels in meandering river http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1306/es1306page01.cfm?

chapter_no=visualization

Waterfalls and chasms http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1305/

es1305page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

Glacial erosion of bedrock http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1502/es1502page01.cfm?

chapter_no=visualization

Example of wave erosion◦ http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1606/es1606page01.cfm?

chapter_no=visualization