GEOL 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: White Clay Creek, Particle Size, Rockford Park
Document Summary
Weathering is defined as the breakdown of bedrock near or at the surface, (exposed to weather) Also through biological activity, which can be physical, chemical or both. These spherical boulders formed directly from bedrock by the expansion- contraction process shown above (notice temperatures are in celsius). This location is a desert with large day/night temperature changes. Water works as a wedge or pry-bar, freeze-thaw by freeze-thaw cycle prying bedrock apart. Plant roots (especially tree roots) grow into cracks, open them further. Can be seen in white clay creek park near newark, These trees took root in soil within cracks. As trees grow the roots expand the cracks, allowing more soil to form and collect. Burrowing animals (like our friendly local groundhog) also aid physical weathering. They disturb not only soil but large loose pieces of bedrock. By moving and breaking up these large pieces they speed up the physical and chemical weathering. Acid from co2 in water dissolves minerals.
