{"id":207,"date":"2019-06-11T14:49:15","date_gmt":"2019-06-11T14:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/part\/chapter-5-weathering-and-soil\/"},"modified":"2024-03-11T21:42:22","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T21:42:22","slug":"chapter-5-weathering-and-soil","status":"publish","type":"part","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/part\/chapter-5-weathering-and-soil\/","title":{"raw":"Chapter 5 Weathering and Soil","rendered":"Chapter 5 Weathering and Soil"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox textbox--learning-objectives\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Learning Objectives<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nAfter carefully reading this chapter, completing the exercises within it, and answering the questions at the end, you should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Explain why rocks formed at depth in the crust are susceptible to weathering at the surface.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe the main processes of mechanical weathering, and the types of materials that are produced when mechanical weathering predominates.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe the main processes of chemical weathering, and the products of chemical weathering of minerals such as feldspar, ferromagnesian silicates, and calcite.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Explain the type of weathering processes that are likely to have taken place to produce a particular sediment deposit.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Discuss the relationships between weathering and soil formation, and the origins of soil horizons and some of the different types of soil.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describe and explain the distribution of some of the important soil types in Canada.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Explain the geological carbon cycle, and how variations in rates of weathering can lead to climate change.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_206\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"700\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-206\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"460\" \/><\/a> Figure 5.01 The Hoodoos, near Drumheller, Alberta, have formed from the differential weathering of sedimentary rock that was buried beneath other rock since about 100 Ma, but has now been exposed for several thousand years.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>[pb_glossary id=\"1407\"]Weathering[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> is what takes place when a body of rock is exposed to the \"weather\"\u2014in other words, to the forces and conditions that exist at Earth's surface. With the exception of volcanic rocks and some sedimentary rocks, most rocks are formed at some depth within the crust. There they experience relatively constant temperature, high pressure, no contact with the atmosphere, and little or no moving water. Once a rock is exposed at the surface, which is what happens when the overlying rock is eroded away, conditions change dramatically. Temperatures vary widely, there is much less pressure, oxygen and other gases are plentiful, and in most climates, water is abundant (Figure 5.01).\r\n\r\nWeathering includes two main processes that are quite different. One is the mechanical breakdown of rock into smaller fragments, and the other is the chemical change of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">minerals<\/span> within the rock to forms that are stable in the surface environment. Mechanical weathering provides fresh surfaces for attack by chemical processes, and chemical weathering weakens the rock so that it is more susceptible to mechanical weathering. Together, these processes create two very important products, one being the sedimentary clasts and ions in solution that can eventually become sedimentary rock, and the other being the soil that is necessary for our existence on Earth.\r\n\r\nThe various processes related to uplift and weathering are summarized in the rock cycle in Figure 5.02.<a id=\"retfig5.0.2\"><\/a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2430\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"612\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2430\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/rock-cycle.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"428\" \/> Figure 5.02 Weathering can take place once a rock is exposed at surface by uplift and the removal of the overlying rock. <a href=\"#fig5.0.2\">[Image Description]<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n<h3>Image Descriptions<\/h3>\r\n<strong id=\"fig5.2\"><a id=\"fig5.0.2\"><\/a>Figure 5.02 image description:<\/strong> \u201cThe Rock Cycle.\u201d The rock cycle takes place both above and below the earth\u2019s surface. The rock deepest beneath the earth\u2019s surface and under extreme heat and pressure is metamorphic rock. This metamorphic rock can melt and become magma. When magma cools, if below the earth\u2019s surface it becomes \u201cintrusive igneous rock.\u201d If magma cools above the earth\u2019s surface it is \u201cextrusive igneous rock\u201d and becomes part of the outcrop.\u00a0 The outcrop is subject to weathering and erosion, and can be moved and redeposited around the earth by forces such as water and wind. As the outcrop is eroded, it becomes sediment which can be buried, compacted, and cemented beneath the earth\u2019s surface to become sedimentary rock. As sedimentary rock gets buried deeper and comes under increased heat and pressure, it returns to its original state as metamorphic rock. Rocks in the rock cycle do not always make a complete loop. It is possible for sedimentary rock to be uplifted back above the Earth\u2019s surface and for intrusive and extrusive igneous rock to be reburied and became metamorphic rock. <a href=\"#retfig5.0.2\">[Return to Figure 5.02]<\/a>\r\n<h3>Media Attributions<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Figures 5.0.1, 5.0.2: \u00a9 Steven Earle. CC BY.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox textbox--learning-objectives\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Learning Objectives<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>After carefully reading this chapter, completing the exercises within it, and answering the questions at the end, you should be able to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Explain why rocks formed at depth in the crust are susceptible to weathering at the surface.<\/li>\n<li>Describe the main processes of mechanical weathering, and the types of materials that are produced when mechanical weathering predominates.<\/li>\n<li>Describe the main processes of chemical weathering, and the products of chemical weathering of minerals such as feldspar, ferromagnesian silicates, and calcite.<\/li>\n<li>Explain the type of weathering processes that are likely to have taken place to produce a particular sediment deposit.<\/li>\n<li>Discuss the relationships between weathering and soil formation, and the origins of soil horizons and some of the different types of soil.<\/li>\n<li>Describe and explain the distribution of some of the important soil types in Canada.<\/li>\n<li>Explain the geological carbon cycle, and how variations in rates of weathering can lead to climate change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_206\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-206\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-206\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2-768x504.jpg 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2-1024x673.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2-65x43.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2-225x148.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/hoodoos-2-350x230.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-206\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 5.01 The Hoodoos, near Drumheller, Alberta, have formed from the differential weathering of sedimentary rock that was buried beneath other rock since about 100 Ma, but has now been exposed for several thousand years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_207_1407\">Weathering<\/a><\/strong> is what takes place when a body of rock is exposed to the &#8220;weather&#8221;\u2014in other words, to the forces and conditions that exist at Earth&#8217;s surface. With the exception of volcanic rocks and some sedimentary rocks, most rocks are formed at some depth within the crust. There they experience relatively constant temperature, high pressure, no contact with the atmosphere, and little or no moving water. Once a rock is exposed at the surface, which is what happens when the overlying rock is eroded away, conditions change dramatically. Temperatures vary widely, there is much less pressure, oxygen and other gases are plentiful, and in most climates, water is abundant (Figure 5.01).<\/p>\n<p>Weathering includes two main processes that are quite different. One is the mechanical breakdown of rock into smaller fragments, and the other is the chemical change of the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">minerals<\/span> within the rock to forms that are stable in the surface environment. Mechanical weathering provides fresh surfaces for attack by chemical processes, and chemical weathering weakens the rock so that it is more susceptible to mechanical weathering. Together, these processes create two very important products, one being the sedimentary clasts and ions in solution that can eventually become sedimentary rock, and the other being the soil that is necessary for our existence on Earth.<\/p>\n<p>The various processes related to uplift and weathering are summarized in the rock cycle in Figure 5.02.<a id=\"retfig5.0.2\"><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2430\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2430\" style=\"width: 612px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2430\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/rock-cycle.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"612\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/rock-cycle.jpg 612w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/rock-cycle-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/rock-cycle-65x45.jpg 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/rock-cycle-225x157.jpg 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/298\/2019\/06\/rock-cycle-350x245.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2430\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 5.02 Weathering can take place once a rock is exposed at surface by uplift and the removal of the overlying rock. <a href=\"#fig5.0.2\">[Image Description]<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Image Descriptions<\/h3>\n<p><strong id=\"fig5.2\"><a id=\"fig5.0.2\"><\/a>Figure 5.02 image description:<\/strong> \u201cThe Rock Cycle.\u201d The rock cycle takes place both above and below the earth\u2019s surface. The rock deepest beneath the earth\u2019s surface and under extreme heat and pressure is metamorphic rock. This metamorphic rock can melt and become magma. When magma cools, if below the earth\u2019s surface it becomes \u201cintrusive igneous rock.\u201d If magma cools above the earth\u2019s surface it is \u201cextrusive igneous rock\u201d and becomes part of the outcrop.\u00a0 The outcrop is subject to weathering and erosion, and can be moved and redeposited around the earth by forces such as water and wind. As the outcrop is eroded, it becomes sediment which can be buried, compacted, and cemented beneath the earth\u2019s surface to become sedimentary rock. As sedimentary rock gets buried deeper and comes under increased heat and pressure, it returns to its original state as metamorphic rock. Rocks in the rock cycle do not always make a complete loop. It is possible for sedimentary rock to be uplifted back above the Earth\u2019s surface and for intrusive and extrusive igneous rock to be reburied and became metamorphic rock. <a href=\"#retfig5.0.2\">[Return to Figure 5.02]<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Media Attributions<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Figures 5.0.1, 5.0.2: \u00a9 Steven Earle. CC BY.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_207_1407\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_207_1407\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a range of processes taking place in the surface environment, through which solid rock is transformed into sediment and ions in solution<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"parent":0,"menu_order":5,"template":"","meta":{"pb_part_invisible":false,"pb_part_invisible_string":""},"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-207","part","type-part","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/207","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/part"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/207\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2435,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/207\/revisions\/2435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=207"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=207"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeology2ed\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=207"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}