GEOL 1001 : Geology Test 2 Notes
Document Summary
Geology chapter 6- weathering & erosion2/7/2013 4:02:00 pm. Weathering produces all the soils, clays, sediments, and dissolved substances: converts rock into sediment and forming soils- main process in rock cycle, physical breakdown and chemical alteration at surface. Erosion is the removal of sediments by natural processes such as wind and rivers. Mass wasting is the downslope movement of masses of earth materials: erosion and mass wasting are the processes that loosen and transport soil and rock downhill. Mechanical- physical forces break rock into smaller pieces without changing the compositions. Chemical- chemical transformations into one or more new compounds. Properties of the parent rock: various minerals weather at different rates, a rock"s structure affects its susceptibility to cracking and fragmentation. Weathering: joints in rocks (fracture pattern: can allow weathering to begin before exposure. Evidence in desert, possibly need chemical weathering first: biological activity, plants, animals, burrowing, move fresh material to surface, humans, mining, construction, etc.
