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Questions and Answers
What happens to the surface area when a rock is cleaved three times?
What happens to the surface area when a rock is cleaved three times?
Match the following weathering processes to their types:
Match the following weathering processes to their types:
Root wedging = Physical Weathering Frost wedging = Physical Weathering Abrasion = Physical Weathering Dissolution = Chemical Weathering Oxidation = Chemical Weathering Hydrolysis = Chemical Weathering
As rocks are weathered by moving water, what happens to the individual grains?
As rocks are weathered by moving water, what happens to the individual grains?
Grains become smaller and more rounded
The order of sediment classification from smallest to largest is: clay, ___, sand, pebbles, cobbles, boulders.
The order of sediment classification from smallest to largest is: clay, ___, sand, pebbles, cobbles, boulders.
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What is the order of the images of a desert landscape from least eroded to most eroded?
What is the order of the images of a desert landscape from least eroded to most eroded?
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Which features are more common in downcutting river systems?
Which features are more common in downcutting river systems?
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In the image provided, select the part where erosion is most common in a river's course.
In the image provided, select the part where erosion is most common in a river's course.
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Select the images that were predominately created by wind erosion.
Select the images that were predominately created by wind erosion.
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Strong rocks like thickly bedded sandstones tend to form ___, whereas weaker rocks like thinly bedded shales tend to form gentler ___.
Strong rocks like thickly bedded sandstones tend to form ___, whereas weaker rocks like thinly bedded shales tend to form gentler ___.
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Label the image of a yardang with the appropriate terms:
Label the image of a yardang with the appropriate terms:
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Which units are made of rocks that are resistant to weathering in the desert?
Which units are made of rocks that are resistant to weathering in the desert?
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Where would you expect to find shale in the Grand Canyon image?
Where would you expect to find shale in the Grand Canyon image?
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What are the three most likely causes of erosion of the barrier island?
What are the three most likely causes of erosion of the barrier island?
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What was the rate of coastal retreat from 1993 to 2012 in meters/year?
What was the rate of coastal retreat from 1993 to 2012 in meters/year?
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What was the annual rate of coastline retreat between 2012 and 2017?
What was the annual rate of coastline retreat between 2012 and 2017?
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Based on the erosion rate, how long will it be until your family home is lost to the ocean?
Based on the erosion rate, how long will it be until your family home is lost to the ocean?
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Which techniques could be employed to try to extend the amount of time the home would be livable?
Which techniques could be employed to try to extend the amount of time the home would be livable?
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Study Notes
Weathering Processes
- Chemical weathering targets exposed rock surfaces, working alongside physical weathering which breaks rock apart and increases surface area.
- Physical weathering examples include root wedging, frost wedging, and abrasion, leading to increased rock fragmentation.
- Chemical weathering involves processes like dissolution, oxidation, and hydrolysis.
Erosion and Sediment Transport
- Moving water causes rock grains to become smaller and more rounded over time.
- Sediments are classified by grain diameter: clay (smallest), silt, sand, pebbles, cobbles, and boulders (largest).
- Rivers can exhibit both downcutting (erosion) and aggrading (deposition) phases, depending on water flow and sediment load.
Erosion Patterns in Landscapes
- In desert environments, the degree of erosion can vary significantly; landscapes can be ranked from least to most eroded based on sand volume.
- Some river systems may have areas of both erosion and deposition; erosion primarily occurs upstream, while sediment accumulation is seen in floodplains and oxbow lakes.
Wind Erosion Features
- Eroded landscapes shaped predominantly by wind can include formations like yardangs and unique individual rock structures.
Rock Composition and Resistance
- Rock strength determines erosion patterns; strong, thickly bedded sandstones form cliffs, while weak, thinly bedded shales or siltstones create gentler slopes.
- Yardangs, also known as "mushroom boulders," arise from selective weathering of weaker rocks.
Coastal Erosion Factors
- Erosion of barrier islands is influenced by ocean currents, wave activity, and storm frequency; mining and seawater temperature changes have no direct impact.
- Notable coastal retreat measured from 1993 to 2012 was 270 meters, averaging a rate of 14 meters per year.
Future Erosion Projections
- A further retreat of the barrier island from 2012 to early 2017 totaled 1100 meters, translating to an annual rate of 220 meters per year.
- A family home built 2 km from the shore that has eroded to 800 meters away may be lost to the ocean in just over three and a half years.
Mitigation Strategies
- To prolong home viability against erosion, strategies include building further inland post-damage, constructing seawalls, groins, or employing beach nourishment.
- Inaction is not recommended as an effective strategy against erosion.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the concepts of erosion and weathering with this focused quiz. Explore the processes of chemical and physical weathering and understand how they interact to shape the Earth's landscapes. This quiz is designed to help reinforce key geological concepts.
