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Earth's Weathering Processes: Mechanical and Chemical Transformation

Discover how Earth's external processes like weathering, mass wasting, and erosion shape the landscape through mechanical and chemical actions. Explore frost wedging, spheroidal weathering, and the influence of rock type on weathering rates. Learn about the importance of soil components, texture, and structure in supporting plant life.

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Earth's Weathering Processes: Mechanical and Chemical Transformation

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  1. Earth’s External Processes • Weathering – the disintegration and decomposition of material at or near the surface • Mass wasting – the transfer of rock material downslope under the influence of gravity • Erosion – the incorporation and transportation of material by a mobile agent, usually water, wind, or ice

  2. Weathering • Two kinds of weathering • Mechanical weathering • Breaking of rocks into smaller pieces • Chemical weathering • Chemical transformation of rock into one or more new compounds

  3. Increase in Surface Area by Mechanical Weathering

  4. Mechanical Weathering • Four important processes • Frost wedging – expansion of freezing water • Salt crystal growth • Sheeting – generates onion-like layers and exfoliation domes • Biological activity

  5. Frost Wedging

  6. Sheeting and Exfoliation of Igneous Rocks

  7. Chemical Weathering • Alters the internal structures of minerals by removing or adding elements • Most important agent is water • Oxygen dissolved in water oxidizes materials • Carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved in water forms carbonic acid and alters the material

  8. Chemical Weathering • Spheroidal Weathering • Generates rounded rocks • Weathering works inward from exposed surfaces

  9. Rock Type Influences Weathering

  10. Rates of Weathering • Important factors • Climate • Temperature and moisture are the most crucial factors • Chemical weathering is most effective in areas of warm temperatures and abundant moisture

  11. Rates of Weathering • Differential weathering • Caused by variations in composition • Creates unusual and spectacular rock formations and landforms

  12. Soil • An interface in the Earth system • Soil is a combination of mineral matter, water, and air • Regolith • Rock and mineral fragments • Supports the growth of plants

  13. Soil Components

  14. Soil • Soil texture and structure • Texture refers to the proportions of different particle sizes • Sand (large size) • Silt • Clay (small size) • Loam (a mixture of all three sizes) is best suited for plant life

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