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Questions and Answers
What characterizes an earth flow in terms of material and conditions?
What characterizes an earth flow in terms of material and conditions?
Which event is most likely to trigger mass wasting processes by changing slope strength?
Which event is most likely to trigger mass wasting processes by changing slope strength?
What is a major characteristic of a debris avalanche?
What is a major characteristic of a debris avalanche?
Which factor primarily contributes to grain flow in sediment?
Which factor primarily contributes to grain flow in sediment?
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Under what condition could undercutting most effectively trigger mass wasting?
Under what condition could undercutting most effectively trigger mass wasting?
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What type of weathering involves the physical breakdown of rock without altering its chemical composition?
What type of weathering involves the physical breakdown of rock without altering its chemical composition?
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Which process is described as the physical breakdown of rock when water freezes in a crack and expands?
Which process is described as the physical breakdown of rock when water freezes in a crack and expands?
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What does the term 'talus' refer to in the context of weathering?
What does the term 'talus' refer to in the context of weathering?
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What is the primary outcome of abrasion during weathering processes?
What is the primary outcome of abrasion during weathering processes?
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Which of the following is NOT a cause of mechanical weathering?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of mechanical weathering?
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In which regions is frost wedging most likely to occur rapidly?
In which regions is frost wedging most likely to occur rapidly?
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What is the end product of the weathering process?
What is the end product of the weathering process?
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How does mechanical weathering differ from chemical weathering?
How does mechanical weathering differ from chemical weathering?
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What is the process called when a mineral dissolves in water?
What is the process called when a mineral dissolves in water?
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Which mineral is known to dissolve rapidly and completely in water?
Which mineral is known to dissolve rapidly and completely in water?
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What is the main outcome of hydrolysis when feldspar weathers?
What is the main outcome of hydrolysis when feldspar weathers?
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Which factor increases the rate of mineral dissolution in water?
Which factor increases the rate of mineral dissolution in water?
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What role does atmospheric oxygen play in oxidation weathering?
What role does atmospheric oxygen play in oxidation weathering?
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What is a sign that hydrolysis weathering has occurred in granite?
What is a sign that hydrolysis weathering has occurred in granite?
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Which mineral is known to react with acid and produce carbon dioxide bubbles?
Which mineral is known to react with acid and produce carbon dioxide bubbles?
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What happens during the process of hydrolysis?
What happens during the process of hydrolysis?
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What is the primary cause of coastal erosion?
What is the primary cause of coastal erosion?
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Which of the following processes involves the movement of fine particles like silt and clay?
Which of the following processes involves the movement of fine particles like silt and clay?
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What feature is formed by glaciers as they erode the landscape?
What feature is formed by glaciers as they erode the landscape?
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What is the main agent of erosion mentioned in the content?
What is the main agent of erosion mentioned in the content?
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Which of the following best defines mass wasting?
Which of the following best defines mass wasting?
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What effect can heavy rainfall have on soil stability?
What effect can heavy rainfall have on soil stability?
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What happens to sediments as rivers enter gentler and wider valleys?
What happens to sediments as rivers enter gentler and wider valleys?
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What term describes the branches a river forms as it enters the sea?
What term describes the branches a river forms as it enters the sea?
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What happens to valuable metals like iron and copper during the weathering process?
What happens to valuable metals like iron and copper during the weathering process?
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What happens to the slope-parallel component of gravity as the slope angle increases?
What happens to the slope-parallel component of gravity as the slope angle increases?
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How does biological weathering primarily occur?
How does biological weathering primarily occur?
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What does shear strength depend on?
What does shear strength depend on?
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Which statement about soil accumulation is correct?
Which statement about soil accumulation is correct?
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How does water affect the angle of repose in unconsolidated grains?
How does water affect the angle of repose in unconsolidated grains?
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What role does gravity play in erosion?
What role does gravity play in erosion?
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What role does pore pressure of water play in mass wasting?
What role does pore pressure of water play in mass wasting?
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What is the process of transporting sediments from the source to a deposition area called?
What is the process of transporting sediments from the source to a deposition area called?
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What occurs in expansive and hydrocompacting soils when they get wet?
What occurs in expansive and hydrocompacting soils when they get wet?
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What effect can wind erosion have on natural landscapes?
What effect can wind erosion have on natural landscapes?
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What is the effect of saturated sand on grain-to-grain contact?
What is the effect of saturated sand on grain-to-grain contact?
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Which factor contributes to the increase in mass wasting events?
Which factor contributes to the increase in mass wasting events?
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What typically happens to sediments as they are deposited at the land-sea interface?
What typically happens to sediments as they are deposited at the land-sea interface?
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What typically happens when shear stress exceeds shear strength?
What typically happens when shear stress exceeds shear strength?
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Study Notes
Weathering of Rocks
- Weathering is the breakdown of rocks and its transformation into sediments.
- Weathering occurs through mechanical and chemical processes.
- Mechanical weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.
- Pressure-release fracturing is a type of mechanical weathering where rocks expand due to a decrease in pressure.
- Intrusive rocks, like granite, commonly split into onion-like sheets parallel to the surface.
- Abrasion occurs when rocks collide with each other, wearing down their edges and corners.
- Root wedging happens when plant roots grow into cracks in rocks, expanding them.
- Salt wedging occurs when water containing dissolved salts evaporates, leaving behind salt crystals which enlarge cracks.
- Thermal expansion and contraction can cause rocks to break apart due to temperature changes.
- Frost wedging happens when water freezes inside cracks in rocks, expanding and causing them to break.
Chemical Weathering
- Chemical weathering involves chemical changes in the composition of rocks.
- Dissolution occurs when minerals dissolve in water.
- Hydrolysis occurs when water reacts with minerals to form new minerals containing water.
- Oxidation is the reaction of oxygen with minerals and commonly occurs in iron-bearing rocks, causing rusting.
- Biological weathering involves the actions of living organisms like plants producing acids that dissolve minerals.
Erosion
- Erosion is the removal of weathered or unweathered rocks and soil.
- Gravity, wind, water, and glaciers are agents of erosion.
- Wind erosion occurs in dry, exposed areas, carrying away loose soil and sediments.
- Water erosion is the most common type. Rivers, streams, and ocean waves can erode rock and soil.
- Glaciers erode through abrasion and plucking large pieces of rock.
- Wave action causes coastal erosion, forming cliffs and arches.
- Tidal currents can move sediments toward the ocean.
Mass Wasting
- Mass wasting is the downslope movement of rock, soil, or other earth materials primarily due to gravity.
- Slope angle, water content, and the presence of clays are factors that influence mass wasting.
- Slope failures occur due to sudden movement of materials down a slope due to loss of stability.
- Slump is a rotational slide that occurs along a curved surface.
- Rockfalls and debris falls involve the free falling of dislodged rocks or a mixture of rocks, regolith, and soil.
- Rock slides and debris slides involve the rapid displacement of masses of rocks or debris along an inclined surface.
- Sediment flows are the movement of materials along with water or air, such as slurry flows and granular flows.
- Slurry flows are water-saturated flows containing 20-40% water.
- Granular flows contain low amounts of water (0-20%) that exhibit a fluid-like behavior.
- Shocks, vibrations, slope modification, undercutting, changes in hydrology, and volcanic eruptions are events that can trigger mass wasting.
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Description
This quiz covers the various processes involved in the weathering of rocks, focusing on both mechanical and chemical weathering. It includes concepts such as pressure-release fracturing, root wedging, and frost wedging. Test your understanding of how these processes break down rocks into sediments.
