WEALD Edexcel a level coasts 2b.6 Mass Movement & Weathering

What is weathering?

• The breaking down of rock in situ.

• The wearing away of land by the sea.

What does "in situ" mean?

• In place

• Instead of

• moving

What is mass movement?

• The down-slope movement of rock, soil or mud under gravity.

• The removal of beach sediment from a beach by waves.

• The transportation of material along the coast by the sea.

Mechanical weathering ...

• is the breakdown of rock without changing its chemical composition such as by freeze-thaw weathering.

• is the breakdown of rock by changing its chemical composition such as carbonation weathering.

• is when plants and animals have an effect on rocks. Roots ‘burrow’ down, weakening the structure of the rock until it breaks away. Animals such as rabbits burrow into weak cliffs.

Chemical weathering ...

• is the breakdown of rock without changing its chemical composition such as by freeze-thaw weathering.

• is the breakdown of rock by changing its chemical composition such as carbonation weathering.

• is when plants and animals have an effect on rocks. Roots ‘burrow’ down, weakening the structure of the rock until it breaks away. Animals such as rabbits burrow into weak cliffs.

Biological weathering ...

• is the breakdown of rock without changing its chemical composition such as by freeze-thaw weathering.

• is the breakdown of rock by changing its chemical composition such as carbonation weathering.

• is when plants and animals have an effect on rocks. Roots ‘burrow’ down, weakening the structure of the rock until it breaks away. Animals such as rabbits burrow into weak cliffs.

What mechanical weathering process does the diagram show?

• Carbonation

• Freeze thaw

• Salt weathering

Which is the correct description of salt weathering?

• Frost shattering occurs as water enters cracks in rocks and freezes

• Rocks rich in clay expand when they get wet as the waves wash against them

• Salt water evaporates and leaves salt crystals behind which can grow and exert pressure on the rock

Which is the correct description of wetting and drying?

• Frost shattering occurs as water enters cracks in rocks and freezes

• Rocks rich in clay expand when they get wet as the waves crash against them

• Salt water evaporates and leaves salt crystals behind which can grow and exert pressure on the rock

• Rocks rich in clay expand when they get wet and contract as they dry which can cause them to break up

Which of the following can cause biological weathering? Select all that apply:

• Plant roots grow in cracks in cliffs

• Water running through decaying vegetation becomes acidic

• Birds and animals burrowing in to cliffs

• Marine organisms burrowing in to rocks

• Salt water evaporating