Weathering and Erosion

Weathering Weathering is the breaking down of rocks at or near the earth’s surface. Weathering is a basic part of the rock cycle and a key process in the Earth system. (textbook) There are two categories of weathering: chemical and mechanical

Types of Weathering Mechanical weathering Frost wedging Talus Exfoliation Chemical weathering

Mechanical Weathering When rocks are being broken into smaller and smaller piece through physical force. Different types: frost wedging and exfoliation

Frost Wedging When water gets in between the cracks in the rocks and then freezes expanding the water and then causing the rocks to break due to the force.

Talus These are the piles of rocks that fall at the base of cliffs due to the frost wedging

Exfoliation This is what is happening when the outer layers of the rock formations are creating formations looking like the outer layers of an onion.

Chemical Weathering Chemical weathering is when things other than physical force such as water, elements, etc. are breaking down the rocks.

Erosion This is when things like water, sand, wind, etc. wear down the rocks in the area and cause them create patterns in the rocks. Examples of this happening: the grand canyon, the Ozark mountains, the beaches, the sand dunes in Egypt, etc.

Links https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e3D2RB- bqI (weathering and erosion video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysgZogSB Mio (time lapse)