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The physical breakdown and chemical alteration of rock at Earth's surface.
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Weathering
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The transfer of rock and soil downslope under the influence of gravity.
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Mass wasting
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The physical removal of material by mobile agents such as water, wind, ice, or gravity.
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Erosion
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Type of weathering in which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces without changing the rock's mineral composition.
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Mechanical weathering
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Type of weathering involving a chemical transformation of rock into one or more new compounds.
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Chemical weathering
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Major process of chemical weathering that is aided by small amounts of acid in the water.
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Dissolution
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Major process of chemical weathering; any reaction when electrons are lost from one element.
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Oxidation
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Major process of chemical weathering; The reaction of any substance with water.
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Hydrolysis
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Most important agent of chemical weathering.
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Water
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Process where water works its way into cracks in rock and, upon freezing, expands and enlarges these openings. After many freeze-thaw cycles, the rock is broken into angular fragments.
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Frost wedging
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Process where there is a great reduction in pressure when the overlying rock is eroded away.
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Unloading
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Process where rocks containing calcite readily dissolve in weakly acidic solutions; rocks do not weather uniformly due to regional and local factors.
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Differential weathering
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Combination of mineral and organic matter, water, and air.
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Soil
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Rock and mineral fragments produced by weathering that supports the growth of plants
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Regolith
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Decayed animal and plant remains
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Humus
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