Weathering and Erosion

Front

the general terms for the movement of sediment by wind, water, glaciers

Back

erosion

Front

the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces of the same rock without any change in its composition

Back

mechanical weathering

Front

the process by which layers or sheets of rock gradually break off

Back

exfoliation

Front

the process of wearing down by friction - like sand blasting

Back

abrasion

Front

the breakdown or decomposition of rock that takes place when minerals change through chemical processes

Back

chemical weathering

Front

decayed organic matter in soil

Back

humus

Front

a soil layer with physical and chemical properties that differ from those soil layers above and below it

Back

soil horizon

Front

the soil horizon in a specific location; a cross section of soil layers that display all soil layers

Back

soil profile

Front

the expansion of desert conditions in areas where the natural plant cover has been destroyed

Back

desertification

Front

the process in which sediment particles are picked up and moved from one place to another

Back

erosion