Weathering
Quarter 2, Lesson 1
Earth Science
The Earth is constantly
changing or altered
physically as we have
observed. The changes
driven by different
forces of nature create
new landforms.
Weathering
This process includes
degradation or
breaking down of
rocks into smaller
segments known as
sediments.
It occurs when
mechanical force is
applied on rocks or
through chemical
reactions happening
on the surface or
within the rocks.
In this lesson, you are
going to describe how
rocks undergo
weathering and the
different agents that
cause weathering on
rocks.
Weathering
Weathering is the process
of breakdown of rocks at
the Earth’s surface, by the
action of water, ice, acids,
salts, plants, animals,
gravity and changing
temperatures.
There are three types
of weathering:
[Link] or
mechanical
weathering
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weathering
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weathering
Agents of
Weathering
Water
Either in liquid or
solid form is one of
the agents of
mechanical
weathering.
Salt
• In the process of haloclasty,
salts served 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 caused pressure on the
rock and slowly break it apart
Temperature
Temperature changes can also
contribute to weathering through
the process called thermal stress.
During thermal stress, rock tend
to expand with heat and
contract with low temperature.
As this happens repeatedly, the
structure of the rock weakens
and over time crumbles.
Plants
• Its contribution take place when the seed of a
tree being spread in the environment sprout 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.
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 aboveground, causing
rock to slowly crumble.
Types of
Weathering
Physical or Mechanical Weathering
Physical weathering is caused by the effects of changing temperatures on rocks,
causing the rock to break apart
The process is sometimes assisted by water. It happens especially in places where
there is little soil and few plants grow, such as in mountain regions and hot
deserts.
Physical or Mechanical Weathering
Freeze-
Abrasion Exfoliation
thaw
Physical or Mechanical Weathering
Abrasion
It occurs when rocks surface is frequently
exposed to water, wind and gravity.
ABRASION
The breakdown of rocks is
caused by impact and
friction. This primarily
occurs during collision of
rocks, sand, and silt due to
current or waves along a
stream or seashore causing
sharp edges and corners to
wear off and become rounded.
Physical or Mechanical Weathering
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.
Physical or Mechanical Weathering
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 rock is shedding its outer layer
Chemical Weathering
Chemical weathering is caused by rainwater
reacting with the mineral grains in rocks to form
new minerals (clays) and soluble salts.
Columns of the Parthenon
- temple dedicated to the
goddess Athena
- 2500 years
- Athens, Greece
Chemical Weathering
Carbonation Hydrolysis Hydration Oxidation
Chemical Weathering
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, solution of the
rock can form spectacular cave
systems.
Chemical Weathering
Chemical Weathering
Hydrolysis
• The breakdown of rock by acidic water to produce clay and
soluble salts.
• Hydrolysis takes place when acid rain reacts with rock-forming
minerals such as feldspar to produce clay and salts that are
removed in solution.
Chemical Weathering
•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.
Chemical Weathering
Hydration
Water reacts chemically with the rocks,
modifying its chemical structure.
Chemical Weathering
Hydration
Example: H2O (water) is added to CaSO4 (calcium sulfate) to
create CaSO4 + 2H2O (calcium sulfate dihydrate).
It changes from anhydrite to gypsum.
Chemical Weathering
Oxidation
The breakdown of rock by oxygen and water,
often giving iron- rich rocks a rusty-colored
weathered surface.
Biological Weathering
Biological weathering of rocks
occurs when rocks are
weakened by different
biological agents like plants
and animals.
When plant roots grow through
rocks, it creates fracture and
cracks that result eventually to
rock breakage. It can be
classified into:
Biological Weathering
By Physical By Chemical
Means Compounds
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.
• Humans also indirectly
contribute to biological
weathering by different
activities that cause rocks to
break.
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
Activities such as digging,
quarrying, denuding
forests and cultivating
land contribute to physical
weathering.
Biological Weathering
By Chemical
Compounds
Some plants and
animals also produced
acidic substances that
react with the rock
and cause its slow
disintegration