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Questions and Answers
What type of weathering is the focus of this lesson?
What type of weathering is the focus of this lesson?
Which process makes rocks expand and contract due to temperature changes?
Which process makes rocks expand and contract due to temperature changes?
What causes frost weathering (ice wedging) to occur?
What causes frost weathering (ice wedging) to occur?
Which type of weathering involves the peeling and breaking away of the outer layer of rock?
Which type of weathering involves the peeling and breaking away of the outer layer of rock?
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What type of weathering is caused by living organisms like plants and microorganisms?
What type of weathering is caused by living organisms like plants and microorganisms?
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Which of the following is NOT a form of chemical weathering mentioned in the text?
Which of the following is NOT a form of chemical weathering mentioned in the text?
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Which farming practice involves keeping stalks in the ground over the winter to hold soil in place?
Which farming practice involves keeping stalks in the ground over the winter to hold soil in place?
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What is the term for the practice of growing different crops on the same plot of land in sequential seasons to help soil quality and control erosion?
What is the term for the practice of growing different crops on the same plot of land in sequential seasons to help soil quality and control erosion?
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What type of material is primarily involved in debris flow mass-wasting process?
What type of material is primarily involved in debris flow mass-wasting process?
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Which mass-wasting process involves slow downslope movement and can even happen synchronously with tree growth, causing bending on tree trunks?
Which mass-wasting process involves slow downslope movement and can even happen synchronously with tree growth, causing bending on tree trunks?
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What is the main factor that can help decrease mass wasting and protect human lives and structures?
What is the main factor that can help decrease mass wasting and protect human lives and structures?
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What is the resistive force that holds land together through a combination of gravity and friction, preventing mass-wasting events?
What is the resistive force that holds land together through a combination of gravity and friction, preventing mass-wasting events?
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What plays a significant role in enhancing chemical weathering processes?
What plays a significant role in enhancing chemical weathering processes?
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Why do rocks fully exposed to the atmosphere weather more rapidly?
Why do rocks fully exposed to the atmosphere weather more rapidly?
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Which type of climate tends to experience higher rates of weathering?
Which type of climate tends to experience higher rates of weathering?
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What does soil erosion result from?
What does soil erosion result from?
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Which type of soil structure is preferred for growing fruits and vegetables?
Which type of soil structure is preferred for growing fruits and vegetables?
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Why does heavily tilled soil erode more easily than soil planted with vegetation?
Why does heavily tilled soil erode more easily than soil planted with vegetation?
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What factor can trigger mass wasting by decreasing the shear force within a slope?
What factor can trigger mass wasting by decreasing the shear force within a slope?
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Which type of mass wasting is referred to as a rotational slide due to its sliding motion?
Which type of mass wasting is referred to as a rotational slide due to its sliding motion?
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What type of stress is compressional stress similar to?
What type of stress is compressional stress similar to?
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Which type of rock deformation is not reversible and leads to rock breaking?
Which type of rock deformation is not reversible and leads to rock breaking?
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What type of linear fold has arches with older rocks at the center?
What type of linear fold has arches with older rocks at the center?
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What geological feature is formed by the application of compressive stress to layers of rock?
What geological feature is formed by the application of compressive stress to layers of rock?
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What type of fault occurs at a convergent boundary?
What type of fault occurs at a convergent boundary?
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Which type of mountain is formed when magma pushes towards the Earth's surface but cools prior to being extruded?
Which type of mountain is formed when magma pushes towards the Earth's surface but cools prior to being extruded?
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What is the main component involved in the formation of fold mountains?
What is the main component involved in the formation of fold mountains?
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Which type of stress causes a reverse fault to form?
Which type of stress causes a reverse fault to form?
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What causes the formation of hotspot mountains like those in Hawai'i?
What causes the formation of hotspot mountains like those in Hawai'i?
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Which process in the water cycle involves water changing phases from gas to liquid?
Which process in the water cycle involves water changing phases from gas to liquid?
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What is the primary mechanism by which precipitation returns water to the surface?
What is the primary mechanism by which precipitation returns water to the surface?
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Which phase change process involves water changing from a liquid to a gas?
Which phase change process involves water changing from a liquid to a gas?
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Where does transpiration occur in plants?
Where does transpiration occur in plants?
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Which statement accurately describes the distribution of water on Earth?
Which statement accurately describes the distribution of water on Earth?
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What percentage of all freshwater is found underground according to the text?
What percentage of all freshwater is found underground according to the text?
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Which phase in the water cycle involves water returning to the Earth's surface?
Which phase in the water cycle involves water returning to the Earth's surface?
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Which phase of the water cycle involves water moving from Earth's surface to the atmosphere?
Which phase of the water cycle involves water moving from Earth's surface to the atmosphere?
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What is the main focus of mechanical weathering?
What is the main focus of mechanical weathering?
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Which of the following processes involves water freezing and expanding in the cracks of rocks to cause weathering?
Which of the following processes involves water freezing and expanding in the cracks of rocks to cause weathering?
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What type of weathering involves minerals left behind after water evaporation that push into cracks in rocks?
What type of weathering involves minerals left behind after water evaporation that push into cracks in rocks?
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Which living organisms contribute to biological weathering according to the text?
Which living organisms contribute to biological weathering according to the text?
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What is the result of the outer layer of rock peeling and breaking away as pressure above it lessens?
What is the result of the outer layer of rock peeling and breaking away as pressure above it lessens?
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Which type of weathering can weaken rocks by hitting, scraping, and chipping away against each other?
Which type of weathering can weaken rocks by hitting, scraping, and chipping away against each other?
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What factor affects the rate of weathering by causing rocks fully exposed to the atmosphere to weather more rapidly?
What factor affects the rate of weathering by causing rocks fully exposed to the atmosphere to weather more rapidly?
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Which mineral present in rocks contributes to rapid weathering when mixed with water, oxygen, and other elements?
Which mineral present in rocks contributes to rapid weathering when mixed with water, oxygen, and other elements?
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What characteristic of climates like the tropics leads to higher rates of weathering compared to cold, dry climates?
What characteristic of climates like the tropics leads to higher rates of weathering compared to cold, dry climates?
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Which type of soil structure is most suitable for growing fruits and vegetables?
Which type of soil structure is most suitable for growing fruits and vegetables?
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What is the purpose of planting shelterbelts as a best practice to prevent soil erosion?
What is the purpose of planting shelterbelts as a best practice to prevent soil erosion?
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What process can result in soil quality reduction due to the loss of the most nutrient-rich layer?
What process can result in soil quality reduction due to the loss of the most nutrient-rich layer?
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Which type of mass wasting involves the downslope movement of broken fragments of various sizes of rocks and soil?
Which type of mass wasting involves the downslope movement of broken fragments of various sizes of rocks and soil?
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Which geological agent significantly enhances chemical weathering processes by creating acids?
Which geological agent significantly enhances chemical weathering processes by creating acids?
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How is no-till farming beneficial in preventing soil erosion?
How is no-till farming beneficial in preventing soil erosion?
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What is the primary characteristic of mudflows as a mass-wasting process?
What is the primary characteristic of mudflows as a mass-wasting process?
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How does crop rotation help control erosion of fields?
How does crop rotation help control erosion of fields?
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What role does shear strength play in preventing mass-wasting events?
What role does shear strength play in preventing mass-wasting events?
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Which geological feature is formed by the application of compressive stress to layers of rock?
Which geological feature is formed by the application of compressive stress to layers of rock?
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What type of mass-wasting event involves the sliding of coherent rock material along a curved surface?
What type of mass-wasting event involves the sliding of coherent rock material along a curved surface?
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What type of rock deformation is reversible and does not lead to rock breaking?
What type of rock deformation is reversible and does not lead to rock breaking?
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Why does a rockslide differ from a slump in its movement pattern?
Why does a rockslide differ from a slump in its movement pattern?
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Which type of stress causes rock to slip horizontally?
Which type of stress causes rock to slip horizontally?
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What is the primary factor determining whether a rock will flow or break under stress?
What is the primary factor determining whether a rock will flow or break under stress?
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What phase change process involves water changing from a gas to a liquid?
What phase change process involves water changing from a gas to a liquid?
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Where is most of the freshwater on Earth found?
Where is most of the freshwater on Earth found?
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What is the main mechanism through which water returns to the groundwater supply?
What is the main mechanism through which water returns to the groundwater supply?
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Which phase of the water cycle involves water moving from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere?
Which phase of the water cycle involves water moving from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere?
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What percentage of all water on Earth is freshwater?
What percentage of all water on Earth is freshwater?
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Which factor influences increased rates of evapotranspiration?
Which factor influences increased rates of evapotranspiration?
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What contributes to enhancing chemical weathering processes?
What contributes to enhancing chemical weathering processes?
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What is the primary classification used to identify each fold?
What is the primary classification used to identify each fold?
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How are domes and basins formed?
How are domes and basins formed?
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What is the hanging wall in a fault?
What is the hanging wall in a fault?
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What type of fault forms along divergent boundaries?
What type of fault forms along divergent boundaries?
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Which type of mountain is created at the boundary of two continental tectonic plates that collide?
Which type of mountain is created at the boundary of two continental tectonic plates that collide?
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How do Hawaii's hotspot mountains differ from other types of mountains according to the text?
How do Hawaii's hotspot mountains differ from other types of mountains according to the text?
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Study Notes
Soil Conservation and Erosion
- The USDA offers incentives to farmers to use best practices to prevent soil erosion.
- Best practices include:
- Planting shelterbelts
- Preventing overgrazing
- No-till farming
- Planting cover crops
- Using mulch or soil matting
- Strip cropping
- Terracing
- Contour farming
- Crop rotation
- Soil erosion can be controlled by:
- Preventing overgrazing
- Planting shelterbelts
- Implementing no-till farming
- Using terracing and contour farming on sloped land
- Practicing crop rotation to maintain soil quality
Mass Wasting
- Mass wasting is the downslope movement of rock, soil, and debris due to gravity.
- Types of mass wasting include:
- Slumps: slow, curved motion of semi-consolidated material
- Rockslides: rapid, destructive motion of rock and debris
- Debris flow: rapid motion of broken rock and soil fragments
- Earthflow: slow motion of fine-grained material
- Creep: slow, imperceptible movement of soil and rock
- Mass wasting can be triggered by:
- Increased precipitation
- Loss of vegetation
- Earthquakes
- Steep slopes
- Effects of mass wasting:
- Harm to human and animal life
- Damage to infrastructure and property
- Economic losses
Weathering
- Weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles.
- Types of weathering:
- Mechanical weathering: physical breakdown of rocks
- Chemical weathering: chemical breakdown of rocks
- Examples of mechanical weathering:
- Thermal expansion
- Frost wedging
- Exfoliation
- Abrasion
- Salt crystal growth
- Biological weathering: breakdown of rocks by living organisms
Soil Composition and Development
- Soil is a mixture of sediment, minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and organisms.
- Soil composition can vary in:
- Particle size (sand, silt, clay, loam)
- Structure (granular, platy, columnar)
- Soil development:
- Weathering and erosion of rocks
- Deposition of sediment
- Formation of soil horizons
- Contributions from pioneer species
Soil Erosion
- Soil erosion is the removal of soil from one location to another through wind, water, or gravity.
- Factors affecting soil erosion:
- Exposure to wind and water
- Lack of vegetation
- Slope steepness
- Effects of soil erosion:
- Reduced soil quality
- Decreased crop yields
- Water pollution
- Loss of nutrients and fertilizers### Weathering
- Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks on the Earth's surface into smaller pieces.
- There are two main types of weathering: mechanical and chemical weathering.
- Mechanical weathering involves physical forces that break down rocks, such as:
- Thermal expansion: temperature changes causing rocks to expand and contract.
- Frost weathering (ice wedging): water freezing and expanding in cracks, making them bigger.
- Exfoliation: outer layer of rock peeling and breaking away as pressure above it lessens.
- Abrasion: rocks carried by wind, ice, water, or gravity hitting and scraping against each other.
- Salt crystal growth: minerals left behind after evaporation leaving behind crystals that push into and through cracks.
Chemical Weathering
- Chemical weathering involves chemical reactions that break down rocks.
- Forms of chemical weathering include:
- Acidification
- Carbonation
- Hydrolysis
- Oxidation
- Living organisms
Folds
- Folds are geological features caused by compressive stress on layers of rock.
- Three main types of folds:
- Anticlines: arches with older rocks at the center.
- Synclines: concave up with older rocks on the outside.
- Monoclines: one prominent dipping limb.
Tectonic Plates
- The Earth's crust is made up of seven different tectonic plates.
- A plate boundary is where two tectonic plates meet.
- Faults are fractures in the rocks along a plate boundary.
- Types of faults:
- Normal fault: hanging wall moves downward below the footwall.
- Reverse fault: hanging wall moves upward above the footwall.
- Strike-slip fault: blocks of rock slide past each other.
Orogeny
- Orogeny is the process of mountain formation.
- Mountains can be formed in several ways:
- Fold mountains: formed at the boundary of two continental tectonic plates.
- Dome mountains: formed when magma pushes towards the Earth's surface.
- Hot spot mountains: formed when magma emerges from the crust and land passes over the eruption.
- Subduction: when one plate sinks below another.
Water Cycle
- The water cycle is the process of recycling freshwater on Earth.
- Three main parts of the water cycle:
- Evaporation
- Condensation
- Precipitation
- Other processes involved in the water cycle:
- Sublimation
- Transpiration
- Runoff
- Infiltration
Soil
- Soil is a medium that consists of a mixture of sediment, minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and organisms.
- Soil takes a long time to accumulate and develop.
- Soil composition:
- Weathered sediments (sand, silt, clay, loam)
- Organic matter
- Soil structures (granular, platy, columnar)
- Soil profile:
- Topsoil
- Soil horizons
- Bedrock
Soil Erosion
- Soil erosion is the result of wind, water, or gravity moving soil from one place to another.
- Factors that contribute to soil erosion:
- Exposure of soil
- Wind and water
- Poor soil quality
- Lack of vegetation
- Methods to prevent soil erosion:
- Planting shelterbelts
- No-till farming
- Planting cover crops
- Using mulch or soil matting
- Strip cropping
- Terracing
- Contour farming
- Crop rotation
Mass Wasting
- Mass wasting is the movement of rock, soil, and debris down a slope due to gravity.
- Types of mass wasting:
- Slumps
- Rockslides
- Debris flows
- Earthflows
- Creep
- Causes of mass wasting:
- Increased slope steepness
- Too much water
- Decreased vegetation
- Disruptive events (earthquakes)
- Effects of mass wasting:
- Harm to human and animal life
- Damage to infrastructure
- Economic impacts
Stresses and Deformation
- Rocks experience stress and deformation due to external forces.
- Types of stress:
- Tensional stress
- Compressional stress
- Shear stress
- Phases of deformation:
- Elastic deformation
- Ductile deformation
- Fracture
- Factors that influence rock deformation:
- Material properties
- Temperature
- Water
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Description
Learn about mechanical weathering, a process that breaks down rocks on the Earth's surface through physical means. Explore different examples, including thermal expansion and frost weathering (ice wedging), that weaken rocks.
