Erosion…….
Weathering…….
What’s the Difference?
Weathering
• Weathering is the process of decomposing, breaking up,
or changing the color of rocks.
• Weathering may be caused by water, air, chemicals, plants,
or animals
• Two types of weathering
• Chemical weathering involves: Carbon dioxide, oxygen,
• water, and acids may all cause chemical weathering.
• Mechanical weathering is the process of breaking a large
rock into smaller pieces without changing the minerals in
the rock. Mechanical weathering may be caused by frost,
ice, plant roots, running water, or heat from the sun.
.
Erosion
Once the small pieces of rocks are
changed or broken apart by weathering,
they may start to be moved by wind,
water, or ice. When the smaller rock
pieces (now pebbles, sand or soil) are
moved by these natural forces, it is called
erosion.
•Gravity ‘“ loose particles are pulled downhill. This can sometimes
have a snowballing effect.
•Ice ‘“ the most common form involves glaciers scraping up loose
substrate and pushing it in front of them.
•Water ‘“ particles are loosened and picked up by raindrops or
flowing surface water.
•Shoreline ‘“ the sand and rock on the shoreline is pounded by the
movement of a river or waves. Particles are loosened and swept away
in the water.
•Wind ‘“ loose soil and rocks are picked up by the wind and carried
away
So, if a rock is changed or broken
but stays where it is, it is called
weathering. If the pieces of
weathered rock are moved away, it
is called erosion.
Weathering
Soil erosion caused by rain
Erosion caused by rain or irrigation,
showing how water can wash away the soil
Erosion at the edge of a road, caused by rain
Erosion caused by flooding
The Grand Canyon, formed by erosion
from water and wind
Wind erosion of sand dunes
Chemical weathering of a statue,
caused by acid rain
Mechanical weathering caused by glacial ice
Mechanical weathering by frost and ice,
causing the rocks to break apart
Mechanical weathering caused by tree
roots
Summary:
1.Weathering involves breaking up rocks and soil. Erosion
involves moving the broken up particles.
2.Both weathering and erosion are caused by many factors.
3.Weathering and erosion work together to degrade the soil
and change our landscape.