Weathering and Erosion
Let’s play a game…..
• Class will be split into 2 teams.
• Pictures will show different types of
weathering and erosion the first group
with their hands up will get to ID the
erosion/weathering type.
– If a group says the answer without being
called on they are disqualified for that
round.
• Team with the most points wins…..
– BRAGGING RIGHTS!!!!
What is the cause?
Water Erosion:
Cutting
What is the cause?
Mechanical Weathering:
Burrowing Animals
What is the cause?
Chemical Weathering:
Acid Rain
What is the cause?
Water Erosion:
Cutting
What is the cause?
Wind Erosion
What is the cause?
Water Erosion:
Sheet Erosion
(Flooding)
What is the cause?
Mechanical Weathering:
Plant Growth
What is the cause?
Mechanical Weathering:
Pressure Release
What is the cause?
Water Erosion:
Splash Erosion
What is the cause?
Example of destructive weathering.
Chemical Weathering due to acid rain.
Objectives
• Define weathering and erosion in the
classroom with 80% accuracy.
• Identify different types of weathering
and erosion via pictures in the
classroom with 80% accuracy.
Why?
• Why do we need to know about
weathering and erosion?
• Why is it important to be able to
recognize different types of weathering
and erosion?
What?
• What is weathering and erosion?
• What are characteristics of weathering
and erosion?
• What are the different types of
weathering, and erosion?
Weathering
• The group of processes that change physical and
chemical characteristics of rocks at or near Earth’s
surface.
– Mechanical Weathering
– Chemical Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
• Physical disintegration (breaking up) of
rock material (but does not change
composition).
• Pressure release fracturing, plant growth, and
burrowing animals.
Pressure Release Fracturing
• Sheet joints, and
fracturing.
Plant Growth
• Growing roots widen
fracture.
Burrowing Animals
• Animals nest/habitat can
cause weathering due to
creating holes in the
surface.
Chemical Weathering
• Decomposition of rock
from exposure to water
and atmospheric gases
(oxygen, water vapor and
carbon dioxide).
– New chemical
compounds (minerals)
are formed.
Effects of Weathering
• Destructive
Weathering
– Long slow process
• Limestone or marble
grave stones.
• Constructive
Weathering
– Soil is a product of the
weathering process.
Factors Affecting Weathering
• Availability of Water
• Chemical weathering is faster in humid climates
• Temperature
• Warmer Climates = faster weathering
• Polar Climates = Very slow weathering
• Temperate climates = Freeze-thaw physical
weathering
• Slopes
• Gravity can break up rock
Erosion
• Physically picking up/removal of rock
particles by water, ice, or wind.
Water Erosion
• Raindrops (splash
erosion)
Water Erosion
• Heavy Rain (sheet
erosion) flood.
Water Erosion
• Water cutting
into banks making
them higher and
higher.
Wind Erosion
• In arid climates
wind can pick up
finer grained
materials (clay,
silt, organic
matter).
Ice Erosion
• Glacial Drift
Review
• What is weathering and erosion?
• What are characteristics of weathering
and erosion?
• What are the different types of
weathering, and erosion?