Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
LIGAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School Program
Ligao City
EARTH SCIENCE
WEATHERING
WHAT IS WEATHERING?
- it is the process of breakdown of rocks at the Earth’s surface
- it is caused by the action of water, ice, acids, salts, plants, animals, gravity and changing
temperatures
- it has three types: physical weathering, chemical weathering, and biological weathering
Agents of Weathering (P-A-W-S-T)
1. Plants
Its contribution takes place when the seed of a tree being spread in the environment sprouts in
soil that has collected in a cracked rock. As the roots grow, they widen the cracks, eventually breaking
the rock into pieces. Over time, trees can break apart even large rocks. Even small plants, such as mosses,
can enlarge tiny cracks as they grow.
2. Animals
Animals that tunnel underground, such as moles and prairie dogs, also work to break apart rock and
soil. Other animals dig and trample rock above ground, causing rock to slowly crumble.
3. Water
Either in liquid or solid form is one of the agents of mechanical weathering.
In liquid form, it seeps into cracks and crevices of rocks and when the temperature drops, it
freezes and definitely will expand in the form of ice. The ice then works as a wedge which slowly widens
the cracks and splits the rock. When the ice melts the liquid water performs the act of erosion by carrying
away the tiny rock fragments lost in the split.
4. Salt
In the process of haloclasty (a type of physical weathering caused by the growth and thermal
expansion of salt crystals), salts serve as an agent of weathering. Saltwater sometimes gets into the cracks
and pores of rock. When it evaporates, salt crystals are left behind and grow in the cracks and pores
which cause pressure on the rock and slowly break it apart.
5. Temperature
Temperature changes can also contribute to weathering through the process called thermal stress.
During thermal stress, rock tends to expand with heat and contract with low temperature. As this
happens repeatedly, the structure of the rock weakens and over time crumbles.
Types of Weathering
1. Physical Weathering
It is sometimes caused by the effects of changing temperatures on rocks, causing the rock to break
apart
a. Abrasion
It occurs when the rock's surface is frequently exposed to water, wind and gravity.
b. Freeze - thaw
It occurs when water continually seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, eventually breaking the rock
apart. It occurs in mountainous regions like the Alps or Snowdonia. It occurs through the following process:
Rainwater or snow - melt collects in cracks in the rocks→ at night the temperature drops and the water
freezes and expands→ the increases in volume of the ice exerts pressure on the cracks in the rock, causing
them to split further open→ during the day the ice melts and the water seeps deeper into the cracks → at
night, the water freezes again.
c. Exfoliation
It can happen as cracks develop parallel to the land surface as a consequence of the reduction in pressure
during uplift and erosion. It occurs typically in upland areas where there are exposures of uniform coarsely
crystalline igneous rocks. The following are the process of exfoliation.
The rock mass at depth is under high pressure from underlying rocks. It tends to be uniform and lacks
fractures. → As progressive erosion occurs, the rock mass is subjected to progressively lower pressure of
overlying rocks which leads to tension in directions at right angles to the land surface → this tension is
relieved by formation of cracks which follow the land surface. They are relatively flat on plateaus but can be
steep on the flanks of mountains which are called exfoliation domes → once the crack is developed; water
enters and causes chemical weathering leading to the formation of new low density minerals. This enhances
the cracks and encourages slabs of rock to detach from the surface.
2. Chemical Weathering
It is caused by rainwater reacting with the mineral grains in rocks to form new minerals (clays)
and soluble salts. These reactions occur particularly when the water is slightly acidic. These chemical
processes need water, and occur more rapidly at higher temperatures, so warm, damp climates are best.
a. Carbonation
Carbon dioxide in the air dissolves in rainwater and becomes weakly acidic. This weak “carbonic acid” can
dissolve limestone as it seeps into cracks and cavities. Over many years, solutions of the rock can form
spectacular cave systems
b. Hydrolysis
The breakdown of rock by acidic water to produce clay and soluble salts.
It takes place when acid rain reacts with rock-forming minerals such as feldspar to produce clay and salts
that are removed in solution.
The only common rock- forming mineral that is not affected is quartz, which is a chemically resistant mineral.
Therefore, quartz and clay are the two of the most common minerals in sedimentary rocks.
c. Hydration
A type of chemical weathering where water reacts chemically with the rocks, modifying its chemical
structure.
Example: H2O (water) is added to CaSO4 (calcium sulfate) to create CaSO4 + 2H2O (calcium sulfate
dihydrate). It changes from anhydrite to gypsum.
d. Oxidation
The breakdown of rock by oxygen and water, often giving iron-rich rocks a rusty-colored weathered
surface.
3. Biological Weathering
It occurs when rocks are weakened by different biological agents like plants and animals. When
plant roots grow through rocks, it creates fractures and cracks that result eventually to rock breakage.
a. Biological Weathering by Physical Means
Burrowing animals like shrews, moles and earthworms create holes on the ground by excavation and move
the rock fragments to the surface. These fragments become more exposed to other environmental factors
that can further enhance their weathering. Furthermore, humans also indirectly contribute to biological
weathering by different activities that cause rocks to break.
2. Biological Weathering by Chemical Compounds
Some plants and animals also produce acidic substances that react with the rock and cause its slow
disintegration.
SEATWORK A 10-14-24
I. Instructions: Write C if the statement is correct and I if the statement is incorrect. Write your
answers in your notebook..
________1. Gravity is one of the agents of weathering.
________ 2. Exfoliation occurs when water continually seeps into cracks, freezes and expands eventually
breaking the rock apart.
________ 3. Carbonation occurs when carbon dioxide dissolved in water makes acid and reacts with rocks.
________ 4. Burrowing animals cannot contribute to the weathering of rocks.
________ 5. Hydrolysis takes place when acid rain reacts with rock - forming minerals such as feldspar to
produce clay and salts that are removed in solution.
________ 6. Animals produce acidic compounds that can cause rock disintegration.
________ 7. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide when mixed with water produce basic substances that can
break down rocks’ components.
________ 8. Humans indirectly contribute to weathering.
________ 9. Water alters chemical components of rocks that cause weathering.
________ 10. Earthworms are physical weathering agents.
II. Instructions: Group the following statements as to Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering by
writing them down on the table provided below. Do this in your notebook..
________ 1. Balete tree grows at the wall of the building.
________ 2. Construction workers use power tools to break the rocks.
________ 3. Insects secrete acidic substance on rocks.
________ 4. Glaciers carve its pathways.
________ 5. Rainwater combined with iron on rocks produces rusts.