Weathering and Erosion

What is weathering?

• The breaking up of rocks.

• The process of soil formation.

• The movement of tectonic plates.

• The cycle of water in the atmosphere.

What is erosion?

• The process of soil formation.

• The removal of the broken (weathered) material.

• The accumulation of sediments in a riverbed.

• The transformation of rocks into soil.

What factors affect the rate of weathering and erosion?

• The energy of the waves, lithology (rock type), vegetation (ecosystems), and human activities.

• Only the type of rock present in the area.

• The amount of rainfall and temperature fluctuations only.

• The presence of animals and insects in the soil.

How do human activities impact erosion rates?

• By planting more trees and vegetation

• By placing storm sewers or removing vegetation

• By reducing water flow in rivers

• By increasing the amount of rainfall

How does lithology affect weathering and erosion?

• Hard rocks like granite are more resistant to weathering and erosion.

• All rocks erode at the same rate regardless of their type.

• Soft rocks like granite are more resistant to weathering and erosion.

• Weathering and erosion only occur in soft rocks like chalk and limestone.

What is salt crystallization/corrosion weathering?

• A process where saltwater spray evaporates, leaving salt crystals that grow and break the rock.

• A method of rock formation through volcanic activity.

• The erosion of rocks due to wind and rain.

• A technique used in agriculture to enhance soil quality.

How can human activities increase erosion?

• By planting trees along riverbanks to stabilize soil.

• By ships sailing close to the shore in harbour entrances.

• By building dams to control water flow.

• By creating artificial reefs to protect coastlines.

What are wave processes?

• Erosion and weathering processes that occur below the high tide mark where waves are in contact with the cliff.

• Processes that occur above the high tide mark involving wind and rain.

• Sedimentary processes that involve the deposition of materials on the shore.

• Chemical reactions that take place in the ocean water affecting marine life.

What is deposition?

• The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces.

• The placement of eroded material such as shingles, sand or mud in an area.

• The movement of sediment from one location to another.

• The formation of new land through volcanic activity.

What is freeze-thaw weathering?

• Rainwater in cracks freezes, expands, and breaks the rock.

• A process where rocks are eroded by wind.

• The melting of ice causing soil erosion.

• The chemical breakdown of minerals in rocks.