Download General Earth Science

Regents Earth Science
Name: _____________________________________
Weathering & Erosion Notes
•
_________________________ is the break down of rocks that have been exposed to the ______________________.
•
Once the rocks are broken down, the pieces are transported from one place to another.
•
This process is called _________________.
•
Erosion is caused by ____________, moving water (streams, waves, ocean currents), _______ (glaciers), and by gravity.
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*Most erosion that takes place on Earth is caused by _________________________
Types of Weathering
weathering – rocks are broken down into smaller pieces ________________ changing their

composition (doesn’t change what they’re made of)
weathering - rocks break down as their minerals

in composition (they
become different substances)
Types of Mechanical Weathering
1. Ice wedging/
water enters small cracks in the rock
When it freezes, it
and forces the crack to open more
The process repeats over again until the rock breaks apart
2. Wetting and drying
breaks up rocks that are made from ____________
When they are wet they ________________, and they _______________ as they dry
As this repeats over and over, the clay becomes weak and cracks
(think of all the projects you have made out of clay…they all crack and fall apart)!
3.
soil and rock is removed (glaciers or uplifting), exposing rock found deep underground
This releases the pressure causing the
of the rock to expand and eventually crack
4. Plant Roots
The deep roots of trees often break apart rocks
5.
& Moss
These low to the ground plants can grow on rocks and eventually break them apart
Types of Chemical Weathering
1. Hydrolysis
_______________ (hydro) reacts with minerals such as feldspar and form ____________
2. Oxidation
_________________ reacts with some minerals, especially those containing _________ (magnetite) to form
(called iron oxide)
This occurs faster with _________________!
3. Carbonic acid
__________________ ____________________ (CO²) dissolves in water to form this acid
can cause minerals to dissolve, especially those containing _________________
Factors which affect rates of weathering:
o
Rock’s resistance to weathering (_____________________________)
o
Amount of
o
___________________:

weathering occurs faster in warm, wet climates

weathering occurs faster in cold or dry climates
Surface Area

Greater surface area ______________________ the rate of weathering

Surface area is the amount of rock surfaces ______________________ to the atmosphere

______________________ creates more surface area
– Dry Climate = Mechanical Weathering!
– Warm Climate = Chemical Weathering!
What kind of Climate is Slate Hill????? ______________________________________________