Featured:
Allergies
Grilling Guide
eHow Now Blog

A Description of Weathering

A Description of Weathering thumbnail
Weathering is the process by which rock is broken down.

Weathering is the process by which rock near the earth's surface is broken down, allowing it to be easily eroded by elements such as wind and water. There are two types of weathering, both affected by environmental factors.

  1. Chemical Weathering

    • Chemical weathering is the process by which rock is transformed into something physically or chemically different than its original composition. The process, which is sped up by factors such as moisture and warmth, causes rock to soften. Some minerals are more easily chemically weathered than others.

    Mechanical Weathering

    • Mechanical weathering is the process by which rock is broken down into very small pieces. A common way in which this occurs is when water seeps into broken areas of rocks, freezes and expands, causing the rock to break apart. Plants may also cause this type of weather, as their roots grow into rock's fissures. Exfoliation, another kind of mechanical weathering, occurs when rock breaks apart in curved layers, resulting in a dome-shaped formation.

    Factors

    • Factors that affect weathering include temperature, moisture and exposure. Weathering tends to happen more quickly in warmer climates. Exposure to elements such as wind, rain and ice also affects weathering: the more exposure, the faster the weathering. The mineral composition of rock also affects weathering, as certain minerals weather faster than others.

Related Searches:

References

Comments

You May Also Like

  • Types of Weathering

    Weathering alters the earth's surface by breaking down rocks into fragments, allowing particles to drift away. There are two main types of...

  • About Chemical Weathering

    A process called "weathering" is responsible for most of the changes made to the geology of the earth’s surface. It can be...

  • Types of Weathering Processes

    Weathering is a process that physically and chemically destroys rock near the earth's surface. There are two main types of weathering--mechanical and...

  • How Can Light Be Changed for a Plant to Grow Faster?

    Sunlight is the natural medium for plant growth, but when it is cut short by winter days or overcast weather, plants given...

  • Types of Weathering of Rocks

    Types of Weathering of Rocks. Weathering changes rocks from unstable material to stable using a wide range of minerals and forces of...

  • Importance of Weathering

    Weathering is a natural process that occurs when dried lumber is placed on the side of a building or any other location...

  • Elements That Cause Weathering Factors

    Elements That Cause Weathering Factors. Rock disintegrates because of exposure to weather elements, such as water, wind and heat. Weathering, therefore, is...

  • Why Do I Fall Asleep After Eating Carbs?

    If you find yourself falling asleep after mealtimes despite getting a full night's sleep the night before, you may need to take...

  • Types of Mechanical Weathering

    The main types of geological weathering are mechanical and chemical. Sometimes, "biological" is included as a third category. Mechanical weathering can be...

  • Weatherman Job Description

    A weatherman, known formally as a weathercaster, relies on data to make forecasts about the weather. Weathercasters broadcast their forecasts on air...

  • What Are Fissures?

    Fissures are large, deep cracks in the Earth. They can be found in areas where groundwater tables have been overtaxed as well...

  • What Are the Factors That Impact Weather & Climate?

    Weather and climate are two different things. Weather is the mix of events that happen each day in earth's atmosphere including temperature,...

  • How to Soften Leather Jackets

    Leather jackets can become stiff and hard over time, especially if they are placed in storage for long periods. If a leather...

  • What Determines How Fast Weathering Occurs?

    Weathering is a natural process by which rock is broken down into smaller pieces. Mechanical weathering involves physical forces acting on the...

  • Factors Affecting Weathering

    Factors Affecting Weathering. Weathering is the term used to describe the breaking down of rocks and minerals into smaller sediments. The same...

  • What Is Weathering Process of Oxidation?

    Weathering is the set of processes whereby rocks and minerals on Earth's surface are broken down over time. Chemical weathering involves the...

  • How to Describe How Gravity Is Mechanical Weathering

    Describing a geological process like mechanical weathering can be a challenge, particularly when your audience has seen the effects of mechanical weathering...

  • How to Prevent Physical Weathering

    Imagine your home slowly decaying away because of exposure to wind, water and heat. The physical elements act on everything. Man-made structures...

  • Description of the Rock Cycle

    The three different types of rocks---sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic---are constantly being changed from one type to another through various geological processes.

  • About Heat Weathering

    Exposure of materials to the sun's energy is the dominant force in heat weathering. It affects both natural materials such as rocks...

Related Ads

thumbnail
Featured