Weathering Processes and Types

Weathering

• The process of breaking down rocks into smaller fragments called sediments.
• Plays a crucial role in soil formation.
• Soil consists of a mixture of grains, organic matter, water, and gas.

Chemical Weathering

• The weakening or disintegration of rocks through chemical reactions.
• Results in the formation of new compounds.

Oxidation

• Oxygen reacts with rocks, particularly those containing iron.
• Iron reacts with oxygen to form rust, which weakens the rocks.

Carbonation

• The process of forming carbonates in rocks.
• Results in the enlargement of rocks and removal of lime, which holds particles together.

Hydration

• The absorption of water by rocks, leading to a change in shape.
• Water absorption increases the volume of the rock, altering its grain structure.

Solution

• Minerals in rocks dissolve in water.
• This weakens, deforms, and breaks rocks over time.

Biological Weathering

• The disintegration of rocks caused by living organisms.

Mass Wasting

• The downhill movement of rock fragments due to gravity.
• A natural process that often occurs after weathering.
• Can be classified based on moisture and speed.
• A natural hazard that can cause significant damage.

Erosion

• The transportation of rock fragments by various agents.

Soil erosion

• The removal of soil at a faster rate than its natural replenishment.

Wind erosion

• Occurs when strong winds carry fine soil particles, spreading them and reducing soil fertility.

Sheet erosion

• The removal of thin layers of soil by surface runoff and rain.

Rill erosion

• The removal of soil by concentrated running water, forming small channels.

Gully erosion

• The removal of soil in large channels or drainage lines, creating deep gullies.

Endogenic Processes

• Processes that occur within the Earth's crust.
• Driven by heat and pressure from the Earth's interior.
• These processes form mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Exogenic Processes

• Processes that occur on or near the Earth's surface.
• Primarily driven by external forces like solar energy, gravity, and wind.
• These processes include weathering, erosion, and transportation of sediments.

Sources of Heat In Our Planet

• Primordial Heat: Internal heat energy accumulated during the Earth's formation billions of years ago.

Formation of the Universe

• Big Bang Theory: The prevailing model explaining the origin of the universe.

• The universe originated from an infinitely small and dense point around 13-14 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since.

• Pulsating Theory (Oscillating Universe Theory): Argues that the universe undergoes cycles of expansion (Big Bang) and contraction (Big Crunch).

• After a Big Crunch, a new Big Bang would restart the cycle.

• Steady-State Theory: Proposes that the universe is constantly expanding and new matter is continuously being created to maintain a constant density.

• Nebular Hypothesis: Explains the formation of the solar system from a rotating cloud of gas and dust called a nebula.

The Earth’s Subsystems

• Atmosphere: The gaseous layer surrounding the Earth.
• Biosphere: All living organisms on Earth.
• Hydrosphere: The water portion of the Earth (oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.).
• Lithosphere: The Earth’s rigid outer layer, composed of the crust and upper mantle.

What Makes Earth Habitable?

• The right distance from the sun.
• The Earth’s magnetic field protects it from harmful solar radiation.
• An insulating atmosphere keeps the Earth warm.
• The right amounts of water and carbon are present.

Earth’s Uniqueness

• It has liquid water on its surface.
• It has an atmosphere that protects it from harmful sun rays.
• It has a lithosphere made up of the crust and upper mantle.

Geological Time Scale

• Epoch: A subdivision of geological time longer than an age and shorter than a period.
• Period: A unit of geological time characterized by a particular rock series

Volcanic Eruption

• The release of gases, liquids, and solids from a volcano's vent.

Earthquakes

• Sudden movements or vibrations in the Earth's crust caused by the release of energy in rocks.

Magnitude

• A measure of the size of an earthquake at its source.
• Measured using the Richter Scale.

Intensity

• A measure of the amount of shaking felt at a specific location during an earthquake.
• Measured using the Mercalli Scale.

Tsunamis

• Enormous waves generated by seabed disturbances, such as earthquakes and undersea landslides.

Tropical Cyclones

• Cyclonic storms that originate over tropical oceans.

Cyclones

• Storms that form in the Indian Ocean and the Southwest Pacific.

Typhoons

• Storms that form in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, including the Philippines.

Explore the various processes of weathering, including chemical and biological weathering. Understand how these processes contribute to soil formation and rock disintegration through mechanisms like oxidation, carbonation, hydration, and solution. This quiz delves into the fundamental concepts of geology.