Rocks, Weathering, Erosion,
Deposition, Rock Cycle, and
Watersheds

Igneous Rocks:
Origin
Texture
Characteristics
Mineral composition
State whether each is a characteristic of a plutonic or volcanic rock:
• Large crystal size
• Vesicular
• Small crystal size
• Batholith
• Pumice
• Solidified lava
• Solidified magma

Which graph best represents the textures of granite, pegmatite, and rhyolite?
A
C
B
D

Sedimentary:
Types: Clastic, chemical, organic
Environment of formation

• Sediments accumulate in streams, lakes, and oceans. Sediments deposit based upon water velocity.

Which graph best represents the correct relationship between the discharge of a river and the particle size that can be transported by that river?

•
•
•
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Metamorphic Rocks:
Parent rocks
Heat and pressure
More dense; less porous types of metamorphism regional contact/local
Texture foliated vs. nonfoliated

• Types:
– Mechanical
– Chemical

• Mechanical:
– Lab----Sugar Cubes :
• 1.
Solving for changes in mass and volume
• 2.
Calculating Rate of Change (ESRT Page 1)
• Chemical:
– Lab----Acid Rain and Rock Types
• 1.
Solving for mass loss
• 2.
Calculating Rate of Change
Be able to predict future changes based on observations and measurements .

Acid Rain and its Effects on Rocks: Exposure Time = 48 Hours
Rock Type Initial Mass (g) Final Mass (g) Rate of Change
(g/hour)
Mass after 100 hours (g)
Marble
Sandstone
58.11
42.62
45.96
42.53
Calculate the rate of change for each rock type and predict the mass for each rock type if exposed for additional 52 hours.

Agents of erosion
Wind
Water
Ice
Describe the agent of erosion in the picture.

Sediments were analyzed near the shore of a nearby stream. The sediments were mostly between 0.2 – 1.2 cm in diameter.
1.Which sediment particle type has that diameter?
2. What velocity (cm/s) is required to move the sediment particle?
3.If the sediment was compacted and cemented together, what type of sedimentary rock will it form?
4. The velocity of a stream was measured to be 75 cm/s. What sediments could be transported at that velocity?

• Porosity
• Permeability
• Water retention
• Saturation
Describe the relationship between water retention and particle size
Describe the relationship between porosity and permeability
Describe the relationship between
Particle size and porosity/permeability

The diagram below shows columns A, B, C, and D that contain different sediments.
Equal volumes of water were poured through each column.
• Which column of sediment retained the most water?
• Which retained the least?
• Which is most permeable?
• Which is least permeable?

The greatest stream velocities are found closest to points:
A and B
B and C
C and D
D and A
Erosion will occur at points:
A and B
B and C
C and D
D and A
Deposition will occur at points:
A and B
B and C
C and D
D and A
Which sediments will deposit first upon entering the lake?

The diagram below shows several different landscape features.
Point X and Y indicate locations on the stream bank.
A
• Identify which point, X or Y, has more stream erosion and explain why the amounts of erosion are different.
• Explain why the stream meanders on the floodplain, but not in the mountains.
• The beach consists of particles with diameters from 0.01 cm to 0.1 cm. Identify the sedimentary rock that will form when burial and cementation of these sediments occur.
• Identify the feature at A.

Resistance
A cross-section of Niagara Falls
Which TWO rock units appear to be most resistant to weathering and erosion?
• Lockport dolostone and
Whirlpool sandstone
• Rochester shale and Albion sandstone and shale
• Clinton limestone and shale and Queenston shale
• Thorold sandstone and
Queenston shale

The block diagram shows a volcano
Which map shows the stream drainage pattern that most likely formed on the surface of this volcano?

Watershed boundaries, or divides, are typically defined by the highest elevation that drains a stream.

Identify the correct
Stream Order for each of the following locations
.

Page 6 of ESRT