THE WEATHERING AND EROSION OF ROCKS:
A big part of the rock cycle is how rocks are transported and changed by the effects of erosion and weathering.
WEATHERING:
Weathering is the process of one large chunk of rock eventually being broken down into smaller rocks as a result of the effects of weather. The rocks are not transported, but remain in the same place. Eventually they become broken down so much they become dirt. Weathering is caused by water, when it freezes and then thaws, and also chemical reactions that help to break up the bonds of the rock. Weathering usually happens on the outside of the rock, but can also occur beneath the surface of the earth. There are microscopic spaces between rocks that can cause weathering if water travels through them, because the chemicals the water carries will loosen the bonds between the rock.
ABOVE: An example of weathering- Water enters through cracks in the rock where it freezes and expands.
EROSION:
Erosion is the transportation of rocks after they have undergone weathering. Erosion is caused by water, wind, ice and waves.
WATER EROSION:
Water erosion is the most common kind of erosion. Water in all it's forms is erosional, from rain drops, which moves tiny particles of soil, to a running stream- a very powerful form of erosion, which if moving quickly can transport large objects.
WIND EROSION:
Wind erosion occurs mostly in deserts, where there is no water. The wind can be very powerful and can move large amounts of rocks and sand and transport them far away.
ICE EROSION:
When it comes to erosion, the power of ice is greater, but not as common as water. Ice can perform erosive functions such as plucking and abrading. Plucking is when water enters the cracks underneath a glacier and freezes, breaking off the pieces of rock that are transported by the glacier. Abrasion is the movement of rock being cut under the glacier, scooping it up and smoothing the surface of the rock.
WAVE EROSION:
Waves in the ocean cause coastal erosion. The power of the waves is extremely strong. This power and the chemicals in the ocean erodes rock along the coast line. The erosion of sand is much easier for the waves, and there is an annual cycle where the sand is removed from the beach and then returned later in the year.
WATER EROSION:
Water erosion is the most common kind of erosion. Water in all it's forms is erosional, from rain drops, which moves tiny particles of soil, to a running stream- a very powerful form of erosion, which if moving quickly can transport large objects.
WIND EROSION:
Wind erosion occurs mostly in deserts, where there is no water. The wind can be very powerful and can move large amounts of rocks and sand and transport them far away.
ICE EROSION:
When it comes to erosion, the power of ice is greater, but not as common as water. Ice can perform erosive functions such as plucking and abrading. Plucking is when water enters the cracks underneath a glacier and freezes, breaking off the pieces of rock that are transported by the glacier. Abrasion is the movement of rock being cut under the glacier, scooping it up and smoothing the surface of the rock.
WAVE EROSION:
Waves in the ocean cause coastal erosion. The power of the waves is extremely strong. This power and the chemicals in the ocean erodes rock along the coast line. The erosion of sand is much easier for the waves, and there is an annual cycle where the sand is removed from the beach and then returned later in the year.
ABOVE: A diagram of an example of Erosion, a cliff has been eroded.