Weathering and Erosion Scenarios

A rock hits another rock as it is carried downstream causing both rocks to break.

• Weathering
• Erosion

The wind picks up all the smaller particles leaving behind only bigger rocks.

• Weathering
• Erosion

Glaciers take large rock material and push it forward, as the ice melts, it leaves the rock behind.

• Weathering
• Erosion

The iron in a rock is turned to rust when exposed to oxygen, weakening the rock and making it easier to break.

• Weathering
• Erosion

Extreme temperature changes in the desert cause the rock to expand and contract and eventually split.

• Weathering
• Erosion

A rock is broken apart by the water in a crack that freezes and turns to ice.

• Mechanical Weathering
• Chemical Weathering

Water mixed with carbon forming carbonic acid that eats away at marble and limestone.

• Mechanical Weathering
• Chemical Weathering

A plant takes root in a small crevice of rock, as the plant grows, its roots push on the edges of the rock, breaking it.

• Mechanical Weathering
• Chemical Weathering

Prairie dogs dig in the ground making smaller, loose piles of soil.

• Mechanical Weathering
• Chemical Weathering

Lichen from plants create weak acid that extracts certain minerals from the rock, weakening it.

• Mechanical Weathering
• Chemical Weathering