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Erosion and Weathering

Erosion is the physical movement of rocks and soil and weathering is the chemical breakdown of rocks. Both natural processes can change earth's landscapes greatly.

5,026 Questions

Which two rock types would you expect to see sitting next to each other after a very long period characterized by only uplift and erosion?

After a period of uplift and erosion, you would expect to see a hard, resistant rock type like granite sitting next to a softer, less resistant rock type such as shale. Granite is more resistant to weathering and erosion, while shale is easily weathered and eroded, which can lead to these two rock types ending up next to each other.

What is the LEAST important agents of erosion?

Glaciers are typically considered the least important agent of erosion because they are localized to colder regions and cover a relatively small portion of Earth's surface compared to other agents like water and wind.

Why does permeable rock weather faster than a rock that is not permeable?

Permeable rock tends to be sedimentary rock, formed by silt deposits building up over long periods of time. They tend to be softer than igneous rock which are normally not permeable.

Softer rock is worn faster than hard rock but additionally, the absorption of water can also contribute to weathering, especially in regions where the water can freeze and thaw within the rock. The freezing of water causes the rock to crack and loosen, so hastening the loss of solid rick. Igneous rock does not absorb water and so suffers damage due to ice far less than sedimentary rocks.

How do you prevent gully erosion?

To prevent gully erosion, construction of structures like check dams and levees can help divert water flow, planting vegetation with deep root systems helps stabilize soil, implementing proper land-use practices to prevent soil disturbance, and controlling runoff through proper drainage management are effective measures. Regular maintenance and erosion control measures are also essential to prevent gully erosion.

What type of erosion causes sea stacks?

Coastal erosion, usually due to wave action and weathering processes, causes sea stacks. As waves erode the coastline, softer rock is worn away more quickly, leaving behind more resistant rock formations like sea stacks. Over time, the repeated cycle of erosion and reduction in size of headlands or cliffs results in the formation of sea stacks along the coast.

Why do deserts experience less chemical weathering than humid regions?

Deserts experience less chemical weathering than humid regions because they receive less rainfall, which is needed to facilitate chemical reactions that break down rocks. Without water, the chemical processes that weather rocks are slower or nonexistent in deserts. Additionally, the arid conditions in deserts may inhibit chemical weathering due to limited moisture availability.

Is erosion deeper than a ulcer?

No, erosion is a surface-level wearing away of material, whereas an ulcer is a hole or lesion that penetrates deeper into tissue. Ulcers can affect various parts of the body, such as the stomach lining or skin, and are typically more severe than erosion.

How are ice and plant roots weathering agents?

Ice acts as a weathering agent through freeze-thaw cycles, where water seeps into cracks in rocks or soil and expands when it freezes, breaking apart the material. Plant roots contribute to weathering by exerting physical pressure on rocks and soil as they grow, helping to break them apart and facilitating the movement of water and chemical weathering agents through the material.

How does deposition create a floodpain?

Deposition occurs when a river loses energy and drops the sediment it is carrying. Over time, this build-up of sediment can create a flat, fertile floodplain as it extends the river's banks. Floodplains can store excess water during floods, reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas.

What is created during erosion?

During erosion, sediment particles are created as rocks are broken down into smaller pieces through processes like abrasion, weathering, and transportation. These sediment particles are then carried away by water, wind, or ice to be deposited elsewhere.

What is a good definition for erosion?

Erosion is the process by which materials are worn away and removed from the Earth's surface by natural forces such as water, wind, and ice. It can gradually change the landscape over time by carrying away soil and rocks from one location to another.

How does the speed of water effects erosion?

The speed of water affects erosion by increasing the force exerted on the surface it is flowing over. Higher speed water carries more sediment and particles, which can increase erosion rates by scouring and removing material more quickly. Conversely, slower-moving water may also erode material but at a slower rate due to decreased force and sediment transport capacity.

What agents if erosion cause loess?

Wind erosion is the primary agent that causes the formation of loess, which is fine-grained sedimentary material deposited by the wind. As wind carries and deposits particles over vast distances, these particles accumulate to form thick layers of loess in certain regions.

What does erosion and weathering affect?

Erosion and weathering affect the Earth's surface by breaking down rocks and reshaping the landscape over time. They can lead to the wearing away of rock formations, the formation of valleys, and the deposition of sediment in new areas. These processes play a key role in sculpting the Earth's features and shaping its landforms.

Where does rock erosion and deposition occur in the UK?

Rock erosion and deposition occur in various locations across the UK, but notable areas include coastal regions where the action of waves and currents erode cliffs and deposit sediments on beaches. Additionally, river valleys and upland areas experience erosion and deposition processes from flowing water and glaciers. Erosion and deposition also occur in areas affected by mass movement processes such as landslides and rockfalls.

How does the surface area and climate affect the rate of weathering?

The rate if weathering in a rock is determined by surface area, temperature, moisture and chemical composition. Surface area effects the rate because weathering occurs on the surface of the rock; therefore a whole rock will weather slower than that same rock in fragments. Temperature and moisture (climate) effect the rate, because weathering is both chemical reactions (hydrolysis, etc) involving water, who's speed is controlled by how warm the system is, and by physical weathering, often involving water (freeze-that etc). The chemical composition is in reference to how stable the rock is in s given environment, and is indicated by Bowman's Reaction Series.

How snow can cause weathering and erosion?

Snow can cause weathering and erosion by freezing and thawing cycles. When snow melts, water seeps into cracks in rocks and soil. When the temperature drops, the water refreezes, expanding and causing rock and soil to crack. Over time, this process can break down rocks and lead to erosion.

How does flooding cause erosion?

Flooding increases the force and volume of moving water, which can dislodge and transport sediment and soil. As the water flows over the land, it can carry away loose material, gradually eroding the surface. The combination of increased water flow and sediment transport leads to erosion as the water cuts into the land.

Do many geologic processes and events happen because of erosion?

Erosion is one of several key geologic processes that shape the Earth's surface. It can lead to the formation of valleys, canyons, and other landforms by wearing away rocks and moving sediment from one place to another. Erosion can also trigger other geologic events, such as landslides and soil erosion, which can have significant impacts on landscapes and ecosystems.

What are the two factors that determine the rate of weathering?

The two main factors that determine the rate of weathering are the type of rock or material being weathered and the climate or environmental conditions in which the weathering is taking place. Different rocks and materials weather at different rates depending on their composition, and weathering is generally more rapid in areas with high levels of moisture and temperature fluctuations.

What agents of chemical weathering produces weak acids that dissolve rock?

Agents of chemical weathering such as carbon dioxide and water produce weak acids that dissolve rock. This process is known as carbonation, where carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in rainwater to form carbonic acid, which can slowly break down minerals in rocks.

Is the kettle a result of erosion or deposition?

kettle is a result of erosion though the material is an ancient deposition

How does sun cause erosion?

In arid or dry climates like deserts, the sun heats up rocks in the day. So the rock expands. At night it cools down so the rock contracts. The constant expanding and contracting weakens the rock and over time the outer layer peels of, hence this process is known as onion skin erosion or exfoliation.

Which would weather faster olivine or quartz?

Olivine would weather faster than quartz because it is less stable chemically and more prone to reactions with water and acids from the environment. Quartz, being a more resistant mineral, is more durable and less susceptible to weathering processes.

What is isolation weathering?

Expansion of rock surgaces heated by the Sun followed by contraction as the temperature falls can allegedly weaken bonds along grain boundaries and cause subsequent flaking off of rock fragments or dislodging of mineral grains. that's isolation weathering.