Chapter Goals<\/h1>\r\nComplete this chapter so you can:\r\n\r\n \t- Explain why rocks formed at depth in the crust are susceptible to weathering at the surface.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Describe the main processes of mechanical weathering, and the materials that are produced.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Describe the main processes of chemical weathering, and common chemical weathering products.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Explain the characteristics used to describe sediments, and what those characteristics can tell us about the origins of the sediments.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Discuss the relationships between weathering and soil formation, and the origins of soil horizons.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Describe and explain the distribution of Canadian soil types.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Explain how changing weathering rates affect the carbon cycle and the climate system.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
What Is Weathering?<\/h1>\r\nWeathering<\/strong> occurs when rock is exposed to the \u201cweather\u201d\u2014to the forces and conditions that exist at Earth\u2019s surface. Rocks that form deep within Earth experience relatively constant temperature, high pressure, have no contact with the atmosphere, and little or no interaction with moving water. Once overlying layers are eroded away and a rock is exposed at the surface, conditions change dramatically. Temperatures vary widely, and pressure is much lower. Reactive gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide are plentiful, and in many climates, water is abundant.\r\n\r\nWeathering can be characterized as\u00a0mechanical\u00a0<\/strong>(or\u00a0physical<\/strong>), and\u00a0chemical<\/strong>. In mechanical weathering, physical processes break rock into smaller pieces. In chemical weathering, chemical reactions change minerals into forms that are less affected by chemical reactions that occur at Earth's surface. Mechanical and chemical weathering reinforce each other, because mechanical weathering provides new 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 the particles and ions that can eventually become sedimentary rock.\u00a0 They also create soil, which is necessary for our existence on Earth.\r\n\r\n\r\nCan You Tell the Difference Between Physical & Chemical Weathering?<\/strong>\r\n\r\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeologyh5p\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/360\/2018\/06\/83-1.jpg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nOver millions of years, acidic rainwater has slowly dissolved this limestone, leaving behind a ghostly forest of stone pillars.\r\n\r\nIs this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/physicalgeologyh5p\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/360\/2018\/06\/83-2.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nA rock lays shattered amid soft moss. It's the victim of water flowing into its cracks, only to freeze and pry the cracks apart.\r\n\r\nIs this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?\r\n\r\nTo check your answers, navigate to the below link to view the interactive version of this activity.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n[h5p id=\"83\"]\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/kzlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/360\/2018\/06\/hoodoos-2-1024x673.jpg\")
Figure 8.1<\/strong> The Hoodoos, near Drumheller, Alberta, have formed from the differential weathering (weaker rock weathering faster than stronger rock) of sedimentary rock. Source: Steven Earle (2015), CC BY 4.0. Image source.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nChapter Goals<\/h1>\n
Complete this chapter so you can:<\/p>\n
\n- Explain why rocks formed at depth in the crust are susceptible to weathering at the surface.<\/li>\n
- Describe the main processes of mechanical weathering, and the materials that are produced.<\/li>\n
- Describe the main processes of chemical weathering, and common chemical weathering products.<\/li>\n
- Explain the characteristics used to describe sediments, and what those characteristics can tell us about the origins of the sediments.<\/li>\n
- Discuss the relationships between weathering and soil formation, and the origins of soil horizons.<\/li>\n
- Describe and explain the distribution of Canadian soil types.<\/li>\n
- Explain how changing weathering rates affect the carbon cycle and the climate system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Is Weathering?<\/h1>\n
Weathering<\/strong> occurs when rock is exposed to the \u201cweather\u201d\u2014to the forces and conditions that exist at Earth\u2019s surface. Rocks that form deep within Earth experience relatively constant temperature, high pressure, have no contact with the atmosphere, and little or no interaction with moving water. Once overlying layers are eroded away and a rock is exposed at the surface, conditions change dramatically. Temperatures vary widely, and pressure is much lower. Reactive gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide are plentiful, and in many climates, water is abundant.<\/p>\nWeathering can be characterized as\u00a0mechanical\u00a0<\/strong>(or\u00a0physical<\/strong>), and\u00a0chemical<\/strong>. In mechanical weathering, physical processes break rock into smaller pieces. In chemical weathering, chemical reactions change minerals into forms that are less affected by chemical reactions that occur at Earth’s surface. Mechanical and chemical weathering reinforce each other, because mechanical weathering provides new 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 the particles and ions that can eventually become sedimentary rock.\u00a0 They also create soil, which is necessary for our existence on Earth.<\/p>\n\nCan You Tell the Difference Between Physical & Chemical Weathering?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nOver millions of years, acidic rainwater has slowly dissolved this limestone, leaving behind a ghostly forest of stone pillars.<\/p>\n
Is this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A rock lays shattered amid soft moss. It’s the victim of water flowing into its cracks, only to freeze and pry the cracks apart.<\/p>\n
Is this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?<\/p>\nTo check your answers, navigate to the below link to view the interactive version of this activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
What Is Weathering?<\/h1>\r\nWeathering<\/strong> occurs when rock is exposed to the \u201cweather\u201d\u2014to the forces and conditions that exist at Earth\u2019s surface. Rocks that form deep within Earth experience relatively constant temperature, high pressure, have no contact with the atmosphere, and little or no interaction with moving water. Once overlying layers are eroded away and a rock is exposed at the surface, conditions change dramatically. Temperatures vary widely, and pressure is much lower. Reactive gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide are plentiful, and in many climates, water is abundant.\r\n\r\nWeathering can be characterized as\u00a0mechanical\u00a0<\/strong>(or\u00a0physical<\/strong>), and\u00a0chemical<\/strong>. In mechanical weathering, physical processes break rock into smaller pieces. In chemical weathering, chemical reactions change minerals into forms that are less affected by chemical reactions that occur at Earth's surface. Mechanical and chemical weathering reinforce each other, because mechanical weathering provides new 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 the particles and ions that can eventually become sedimentary rock.\u00a0 They also create soil, which is necessary for our existence on Earth.\r\n\r\n\r\nCan You Tell the Difference Between Physical & Chemical Weathering?<\/strong>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOver millions of years, acidic rainwater has slowly dissolved this limestone, leaving behind a ghostly forest of stone pillars.\r\n\r\nIs this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA rock lays shattered amid soft moss. It's the victim of water flowing into its cracks, only to freeze and pry the cracks apart.\r\n\r\nIs this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?\r\n\r\nTo check your answers, navigate to the below link to view the interactive version of this activity.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n[h5p id=\"83\"]\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"Figure 8.1<\/strong> The Hoodoos, near Drumheller, Alberta, have formed from the differential weathering (weaker rock weathering faster than stronger rock) of sedimentary rock. Source: Steven Earle (2015), CC BY 4.0. Image source.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nChapter Goals<\/h1>\n
Complete this chapter so you can:<\/p>\n
\n- Explain why rocks formed at depth in the crust are susceptible to weathering at the surface.<\/li>\n
- Describe the main processes of mechanical weathering, and the materials that are produced.<\/li>\n
- Describe the main processes of chemical weathering, and common chemical weathering products.<\/li>\n
- Explain the characteristics used to describe sediments, and what those characteristics can tell us about the origins of the sediments.<\/li>\n
- Discuss the relationships between weathering and soil formation, and the origins of soil horizons.<\/li>\n
- Describe and explain the distribution of Canadian soil types.<\/li>\n
- Explain how changing weathering rates affect the carbon cycle and the climate system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Is Weathering?<\/h1>\n
Weathering<\/strong> occurs when rock is exposed to the \u201cweather\u201d\u2014to the forces and conditions that exist at Earth\u2019s surface. Rocks that form deep within Earth experience relatively constant temperature, high pressure, have no contact with the atmosphere, and little or no interaction with moving water. Once overlying layers are eroded away and a rock is exposed at the surface, conditions change dramatically. Temperatures vary widely, and pressure is much lower. Reactive gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide are plentiful, and in many climates, water is abundant.<\/p>\nWeathering can be characterized as\u00a0mechanical\u00a0<\/strong>(or\u00a0physical<\/strong>), and\u00a0chemical<\/strong>. In mechanical weathering, physical processes break rock into smaller pieces. In chemical weathering, chemical reactions change minerals into forms that are less affected by chemical reactions that occur at Earth’s surface. Mechanical and chemical weathering reinforce each other, because mechanical weathering provides new 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 the particles and ions that can eventually become sedimentary rock.\u00a0 They also create soil, which is necessary for our existence on Earth.<\/p>\n\nCan You Tell the Difference Between Physical & Chemical Weathering?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nOver millions of years, acidic rainwater has slowly dissolved this limestone, leaving behind a ghostly forest of stone pillars.<\/p>\n
Is this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A rock lays shattered amid soft moss. It’s the victim of water flowing into its cracks, only to freeze and pry the cracks apart.<\/p>\n
Is this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?<\/p>\nTo check your answers, navigate to the below link to view the interactive version of this activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/geology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/110\/2015\/07\/image002.png\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nA rock lays shattered amid soft moss. It's the victim of water flowing into its cracks, only to freeze and pry the cracks apart.\r\n\r\nIs this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?\r\n\r\nTo check your answers, navigate to the below link to view the interactive version of this activity.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n[h5p id=\"83\"]\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"Chapter Goals<\/h1>\n
Complete this chapter so you can:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Explain why rocks formed at depth in the crust are susceptible to weathering at the surface.<\/li>\n
- Describe the main processes of mechanical weathering, and the materials that are produced.<\/li>\n
- Describe the main processes of chemical weathering, and common chemical weathering products.<\/li>\n
- Explain the characteristics used to describe sediments, and what those characteristics can tell us about the origins of the sediments.<\/li>\n
- Discuss the relationships between weathering and soil formation, and the origins of soil horizons.<\/li>\n
- Describe and explain the distribution of Canadian soil types.<\/li>\n
- Explain how changing weathering rates affect the carbon cycle and the climate system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Is Weathering?<\/h1>\n
Weathering<\/strong> occurs when rock is exposed to the \u201cweather\u201d\u2014to the forces and conditions that exist at Earth\u2019s surface. Rocks that form deep within Earth experience relatively constant temperature, high pressure, have no contact with the atmosphere, and little or no interaction with moving water. Once overlying layers are eroded away and a rock is exposed at the surface, conditions change dramatically. Temperatures vary widely, and pressure is much lower. Reactive gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide are plentiful, and in many climates, water is abundant.<\/p>\n
Weathering can be characterized as\u00a0mechanical\u00a0<\/strong>(or\u00a0physical<\/strong>), and\u00a0chemical<\/strong>. In mechanical weathering, physical processes break rock into smaller pieces. In chemical weathering, chemical reactions change minerals into forms that are less affected by chemical reactions that occur at Earth’s surface. Mechanical and chemical weathering reinforce each other, because mechanical weathering provides new 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 the particles and ions that can eventually become sedimentary rock.\u00a0 They also create soil, which is necessary for our existence on Earth.<\/p>\n
\nCan You Tell the Difference Between Physical & Chemical Weathering?<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\nOver millions of years, acidic rainwater has slowly dissolved this limestone, leaving behind a ghostly forest of stone pillars.<\/p>\n
Is this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nA rock lays shattered amid soft moss. It’s the victim of water flowing into its cracks, only to freeze and pry the cracks apart.<\/p>\n
Is this weathering physical<\/strong> or chemical<\/strong>?<\/p>\n
To check your answers, navigate to the below link to view the interactive version of this activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n