EAS205 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Weathering, Mafic
16 Mar 2016
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Physical breakup of rocks without changes in rocks composition (e. g. by frost wedging) Breakup of large chunks of rocks into smaller ones. Breakdown of minerals by chemical reaction with water, chemicals dissolved in water, or gases in air. Acidity in natural water causes rapid dissolution. Climate has a major role (the more water the more chemical weathering) Proceeds more rapidly at high temperatures than low ones. [rates of chemical and mechanical weathering are interrelated] [angular fragments tend to become rounded (into boulders] Mechanical effects: tree roots working into cracks to split rocks. Chemical effects: organisms produce compounds that react/ dissolve minerals.
