Exogenic Processes: Weathering and Erosion

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Listen to an AI-generated conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of energy that drives weathering?

  • Wind
  • Rain
  • Moon
  • Sun (correct)

What is the process that breaks down rock into sediments on-site called?

  • Exfoliation
  • Weathering (correct)
  • Erosion
  • Thermal expansion

What is the term for the process where natural cracks are formed in a rock, breaking it into rectangular blocks or irregular chunks?

  • Root wedging
  • Exfoliation (correct)
  • Salt wedging
  • Frost wedging

Which process involves water inside the rock experiencing regular freezing and thawing?

<p>Frost wedging (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What is the process where plants growing on the rock's surface pry it open called?

<p>Root wedging (B)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

When salt crystallizes and weakens the rock, causing it to disintegrate when exposed to wind or rain, what type of weathering is this?

<p>Salt wedging (B)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of separation and removal of weathered and unweathered rocks and soil from its substrate?

<p>Transport (C)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves reaction of oxygen with minerals in the rock, forming oxides?

<p>Oxidation (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What causes the surface to break-off into sheets when it cools?

<p>Dissolution (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What involves the downslope movement of rock, soil, and ice due to gravity?

<p>Mass Wasting (B)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which type of erosion commonly occurs in flat, bare areas or dry, sandy and loose soils?

<p>Wind Erosion (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What is the forward rotation out of the slope of a soil or rock mass called?

<p>Topple (C)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What involves processes by which sediments are moved along from the source to where they are deposited?

<p>Transport (B)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What causes water to be absorbed into the crystal structure of the mineral, causing it to expand?

<p>Hydration (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

When fungi and lichens secrete organic acids, what type of weathering is occurring?

<p>Biological Weathering (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when materials are saturated and move downslope as a viscous fluid?

<p>Flow (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What type of weathering occurs when a rock is exposed to high temperature, causing its outer layer to expand?

<p>Thermal expansion (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which type of weathering involves the reaction of oxygen with minerals in the rock, forming oxides?

<p>Chemical weathering (B)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What process occurs when salt crystallizes, pushing apart the surrounding grains and weakening the rock, causing it to disintegrate when exposed to wind or rain?

<p>Salt wedging (B)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves plants growing on the rock's surface prying it open?

<p>Root wedging (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What type of weathering occurs when water inside the rock experiences regular freezing and thawing, causing the pieces of rock to detach?

<p>Frost wedging (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which weathering process involves an on-site breakdown of rock into sediments?

<p>Chemical weathering (C)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What process involves the downslope movement of rock, soil, and ice due to gravity?

<p>Mass wasting (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which type of weathering occurs when salt crystallizes, pushing apart the surrounding grains and weakening the rock, causing it to disintegrate when exposed to wind or rain?

<p>Hydration (B)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What type of erosion commonly occurs in flat, bare areas or dry, sandy and loose soils?

<p>Wind erosion (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What causes the surface to break-off into sheets when it cools?

<p>Exogenic processes (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which type of weathering involves an on-site breakdown of rock into sediments?

<p>Hydrolysis (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What process occurs when salt crystallizes and weakens the rock, causing it to disintegrate when exposed to wind or rain?

<p>Hydration (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves plants growing on the rock's surface prying it open?

<p>Biological weathering (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What is the forward rotation out of the slope of a soil or rock mass called?

<p>A topple (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Which type of erosion involves rivers starting as small individual streams called tributaries?

<p>Erosion by water (A)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

What involves processes by which sediments are moved along from the source to where they are deposited?

<p>Transport (D)</p>
Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

In-situ weathering

Weathering that breaks down rock into sediments in the same location.

Mechanical disintegration

Rock breaking down due to natural cracks.

Frost weathering

Rock breaking due to freezing and thawing water.

Biological weathering

Plants help break down rocks.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Saline weathering

Salt crystals growing in rock pores causing disintegration.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Oxidation

Oxygen reacting with minerals in rocks.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Exfoliation

Rock breaking off in sheets during cooling.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mass wasting

Downslope movement of rock, soil, and ice due to gravity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Aeolian erosion

Erosion from wind in dry, sandy areas.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sediment transport

Movement of sediment from source to deposition.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Rotational landslide

Soil or rock slides down a slope.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hydration

Water absorbed into a mineral's structure, causing expansion.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Chemical weathering

Breaking down rocks through chemical reactions with fungi or lichens.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Debris flow

Saturated materials flowing downslope as a fluid.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Thermal expansion

Rocks expand with heat, leading to breakdown.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Salt weathering

Salt crystals growing in rock pushes apart grains.

Signup and view all the flashcards

River erosion

Erosion from gathering tributaries.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Weathering

Breaking down of rocks.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Erosion

Movement of weathered rock.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Energy and Weathering Processes

  • Solar energy is the primary source driving weathering processes.
  • Weathering that breaks down rock into sediments on-site is known as in-situ weathering.

Mechanical Weathering Processes

  • Natural crack formation in rocks leading to fragmentation is termed mechanical disintegration.
  • Water trapped in rocks undergoes a freeze-thaw cycle, causing expansion and contraction, known as frost weathering.
  • Plant growth on rock surfaces, which aids in prying the rock apart, is classified as biological weathering.

Chemical Weathering Processes

  • When salt crystallizes within rock pores, causing disintegration due to exposure to wind or rain, this is referred to as saline weathering.
  • Oxidation occurs when oxygen reacts with minerals in rocks, leading to the formation of oxides.

Erosion and Rock Movement

  • The breakup of rock surfaces in sheets during cooling is known as exfoliation.
  • Mass wasting involves the downslope movement of rock, soil, and ice propelled by gravity.
  • Aeolian erosion is common in flat, bare areas with dry, sandy, and loose soils.

Rock and Sediment Transportation

  • The forward rotation out of the slope of a soil or rock mass is termed rotational landslide.
  • Sediment transport refers to processes that move sediments along from the source to their eventual deposition.

Weather Effects on Minerals

  • When water is absorbed into a mineral's crystal structure, it causes hydration and expansion, affecting the rock's integrity.
  • Chemical weathering occurs when fungi and lichens secrete organic acids, breaking down the rock.

Fluid Movements and Weathering

  • Debris flow occurs when materials become saturated and move downslope as a viscous fluid.
  • High temperature exposure causes rocks to undergo thermal expansion, which can lead to breakdown.

Overlapping Definitions

  • Salt weathering occurs when crystallized salt pushes apart surrounding mineral grains, weakening the rock.
  • Biological weathering involves plants growing on rock and prying it apart.
  • Frost weathering is characterized by regular freeze-thaw cycles, breaking off pieces of rock.

Erosion Types and Characteristics

  • For river erosion, smaller streams converge as tributaries, leading to larger water bodies.
  • Erosion in dry, sandy, and loose soil areas exemplifies the aeolian process.

Summary of Weathering and Erosion

  • In-situ and mechanical breakdown of rocks are fundamental to weathering.
  • Chemical reactions and erosion shape landscapes and contribute to sediment transport dynamics.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Geology: Exogenic Processes
24 questions
Exogenic Processes and Weathering
21 questions
Exogenic Processes and Weathering Quiz
23 questions
Exogenic and Endogenic Processes
20 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser