Geo Unit 2

Breaking up of rock into small particles without changing in its composition- rain, wind, heat and cold = agents of weathering

Frost shatter - water entering joins and cracks in rocks, then freeze and expansion of the cracks occurs over timePlant roots - roots grow into cracksThermal Expansion - continuous expansion and contraction cause the rock to break apartExfoliation - thin layers of rok peel off the outer surface of the rock face

Decay of rock that the chemical composition of the rock is changed

Solution - droplets pass through the atmosphere, they absorb CO2 and a mild acid called carbonic acid is createdHydrolysis - carbonic acid works on minerals called silicates; the ions of water replace ions of silicate and the dissolved minerals are transported away with waterOxidation - disolved oxygen can change Fe into FeO; when water comes in contact with FeO, it dissolves it and carries away

Weathering - breakup of rockErosion - transporting of the weathered materials- agents of erosion : ice, wind, water, gravity

Refers to the downhill movement of weathered rock particles and soil material caused only by the force of gravity

Water - water seeps into soil, expanding and making soil heavier; the expansion creating a less stable slope; during winter, the freezing and thawing action expands and contracts soil Logging practices - clear-cutting removes all trees from logged areas and leave behind a mountain slope with little vegetation to prevent mass wastingUrbanization - removed vegetation and natural drainage pattern has been altered; storm drains cannot cope with the excess water low that comes from rooftops, paved driveways and parking lots

ScreeSoil CreepLandslideMudflowSlumpAvalancheSoil Solution

Piles of rocks at the bottom of a very steep rocky slopes which soil could not form. And as water enters the cracks --> freezes --> frost shattr

Imperceptible downslope creep of soil (gradual movement of soil down slope)eg. leaning trees, telephone poles, fences

- occurs where slopes are not steep enough- rapid movement of soil down slope- sldie triggered by added weight of water (freezing and thawing action- loosen soil)

Soil abosrbing so much water that it literally flows downhill, like liquid- sandy soils - absorb water readily and tend to flow- slopes with considerable clay content - slide/slump

Slab of land that breaks away and slips a short distance downslope - top layer of soil and vegetation often remains totally intact

Mass of snow and ice that breaks away and slides down a mountain slope- trigged by wind, earth tremors, skiers- rapid rise in temperature - water seeps into lower layers of snow

Dissolved soil materials are transported by water which appears crystal clear- transport of dissolved materials occurs not only horizontally, but also vertically (as water seeps down through the soil)