Rocks Weathering

Weathering Honeycomb weathering. Solution features in sandstone. © Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Differential Erosion Differential erosion of a rock. © Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Differential Weathering Sunrise in Arizona's Grand Canyon exhibits the differential weathering and erosion that creates the alternate cliffs and slopes. © Michael Collier, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Physical Weathering Weathering of cross-bedded sedimentary rocks produce these unusual features found in a canyon on the Navajo Indian Reservation near Page, Arizona. © Michael Collier, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Abrasion Ventifacts seen here are stones that have been shaped by the abrasive or sandblast action of windblown sand. Generally seen in desert conditions. © Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Abrasion Wind erosion is evidenced by these rocks in the McMurdo Dry Valley Region of Antarctica. © Bruce Molnia, Terra Photographics, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Chemical Weathering This granitic saprolite in Virginia illustrates the chemical weathering or decomposition that is part of the soil formation process. © Bruce Molnia, Terra Photographics, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Chemical Weathering These pits in the sandstone at Capitol Reef National Park were caused by chemical weathering or decomposition. © Bruce Molnia, Terra Photographics, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Chemical Weathering The writing on this English sandstone tombstone has been obliterated in the 160 years it has been exposed to the elements. Acid rain has speeded up the weathering process by helping to dissolve the calcium carbonate that cements the sand grains together. © Bruce Molnia, Terra Photographics, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Chemical Weathering Grus formation in granitic bedrock. Grus is an accumulation of angular, coarse-grained fragments resulting from the granular disintegration of crystalline rocks (especially granite) generally in an arid or semiarid region. © Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Spheroidal Weathering Spheroidal weathering and grus formation in granitic bedrock. Hammer for scale. Grus is an accumulation of angular, coarse-grained fragments resulting from the granular disintegration of crystalline rocks (especially granite) generally in an arid or semiarid region. © Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank

Spheroidal Weathering Spheroid weathering in granitic rocks. Spheroidal weathering is a form of chemical weathering. This occurs when concentric shells of decayed rock are successively loosened and separated from a block of rock by water penetrating the bounding joints or other fractures and attacking the block from all sides. It is similar to exfoliation. © Marli Miller, University of Oregon, Image Source: Earth Science World Image Bank