1.1.1

Weathering

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Weathering

Weathering is the breakdown of rocks in situ. It can be broken down into mechanical weathering, biological weathering and chemical weathering.

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Mechanical (freeze-thaw)

  • Mechanical (freeze-thaw) weathering is caused by drops in temperatures, especially during the evenings in the winter.
  • Rocks break down because the water expands and contracts as the water freezes and melts, putting pressure on the rock.
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Biological

  • Biological weathering is when the roots of plants grow inside the rock, causing it to crack and break apart.
  • It can also be when animals burrow inside the rock.
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Chemical

  • Chemical weathering happens because rainwater can be slightly acidic.
  • The weakly acidic rainwater causes the breakdown of particular rocks over time.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Geography

1.1River Environments

1.2Coastal Environments

1.3Hazardous Environments - Tropical Cyclones

1.4Hazardous Environments - Earthquakes & Volcanoes

2Human Geography

3Global Issues

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