Geology Erosion and Weathering Quiz

The breakdown of rocks and minerals at Earth's surface.

The removal of weathered material.

Rock breakdown without changing what it's made of.

Water freezing expands cracks in rocks.

Daily temperature changes weaken and crack rock.

Water reacts with minerals in rocks, either dissolving them or forming new compounds.

Oxygen reacts with substances in rocks to form oxides.

Gases like sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides react with water to form acids that dissolve rocks.

Living organisms, like plants, animals, and bacteria, break down rocks.

Flowing water, like rivers and rain, dislodges and carries away rock and sediment.

Strong winds blow loose particles across a landscape, wearing down rocks and soil.

Moving glaciers carve and shape the land.

Gravity pulls rocks down steep slopes, leading to landslides and debris flows.