Weathering and Erosion

Created by Cale Charbonneau

Weathering

• Weathering is the breaking down of

rocks, soils, and minerals. Two important classifications about weathering processes exist physical and chemical weathering. The second classification chemical weathering has the direct effect of the atmospheric chemicals. Physical weathering is the process that disinigrates rocks. Frost weathering is the name for several processes where ice is present. Chemical weathering is a ongoing process as the mineralogy of the rock adjusts to the near surface environment. Biological weathering is the release acidifying molecules.

Erosion

• Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are removed from the earth’s surface, then brought and deposited somewhere else. Loosened soil by the surface runoff that is flowing in thin sheets. Wind erosion is a geomorphologic force.

What causes weathering and erosion

• Weathering is caused by elements of nature such as wind, rain, sleet, and snow. Heat is mostly the cause of chemical weathering. Causes of physical weathering are abrasion, crystallization, thermal insulation, wetting and drying, and pressure release. The cause of biological weathering are bacteria, to plants to animals.

• Erosion is caused by naturally on through artificial means. Water causes water erosion. Waves made by storms, winds, or fast moving motor craft cause coastal erosion. Gravity causes gravitational erosion. Wind erosion is caused by wind that picks up tiny particles and blows it into whatever is eroding.

The factors that control erosion

• The factors that control the rate of erosion are water, wind, and gravity

Soil erosion

• Soil erosion is the loss of soil by wind and water. It’s a natural process. Soil shifts from one location to another.

Erosion in the southwest

• Erosion rates cape Shoal water have over 100 feet per year for a century. Erosion is cutting into the cape. 90 camp sites could be lost.

Wind erosion prevention

• Farmers will need to tillage the soil. Farmers will need to rotate the crops. Another way is to strip crop. Farmers can also try mulching the soil.

Landslides and mudflows

• Landslides happen when masses of rock move down a slope. Mudflow is downhill flowing mud.

Bibliography

• The websites I used were ehow.com, Wikipedia, federal emergency management agency, http://educatoral. Com/weathering_erosion_webques.html, q&a, and wisegeek.