2. Weathering & Erosion:
Erosion and weathering are major
forces that shape Earth’s surface.
For example, the Grand Canyon
was formed through erosion by the
Colorado River running through it!
3.
4.
5. What is weathering?
Weathering: The breaking down
of rocks into smaller pieces.
1. Mechanical /Physical
2. Chemical
Hulk
Rock
Smash!
6. So what is erosion?
Erosion:
The movement
of weathered
rock by wind,
water, glaciers
& gravity
7.
8. Types of Weathering:
Mechanical/Physical:
Rock is physically broken into smaller
pieces (larger pieces become smaller
pieces of the same rock)
Chemical:
Rock is chemically changed (like
rusting or dissolving away)
10. Release of Pressure
As the surface of a rock is
eroded, the rock begins to release
pressure
Causes top layers of the rock to
crack and flake off
12. Freezing & Thawing
When water in the cracks
of rocks freezes it
expands causing the
crack to enlarge or get
bigger. The ice melts &
refreezes over & over,
breaking the rock apart.
25. Oxygen
Oxygen + Water + Iron = Rust
through the Chemical reaction
called Oxidation
Rock will become crumbly, soft,
and appear reddish-brown in color
27. Carbon Dioxide
CO2 + rainwater = Carbonic Acid
Carbonic Acid weathers softer rock
like limestone & marble as it seeps
into spaces in rock.
Ex: sinkholes, caves