Weathering Basics
This is the process that breaks down rock at Earth’s surface.
Weathering
Weathering caused by physical forces breaking rock apart.
Mechanical (physical) weathering
The process that moves sediments from one place to another.
Erosion
An elongated streamlined hill of glacial till.
Drumlin
Wide, flat-bottomed valley carved by glaciers.
U-shaped valley
These rocks are made of smaller pieces of broken-down rock.
Sedimentary rocks
Weathering caused by chemical reactions altering minerals.
Chemical weathering
Three agents of erosion besides gravity.
Water, wind, glaciers
Cirque
Ridge or hill of unsorted rock debris left by a glacier.
Moraine
Weathering is the first step in this four-step rock-forming process.
Rock cycle / rock formation process
Weathering caused by living organisms.
Biological weathering
The only erosion type that does not require a transporting medium.
Gravity / mass wasting
A sharp narrow ridge of rock formed between two glaciers.
Arete
Scratches or grooves carved into bedrock by glacier movement.
Glacial striations
Two climate factors that increase weathering rates.
Warm temperatures and high moisture
Tree roots breaking rock is this type of weathering.
Biological weathering
Two triggers of mass wasting.
Heavy rain, earthquakes, removal of vegetation
A tributary valley left high above the main glacial trough.
Hanging Valley
A sharp, pointed peak at the head of a glacier.
Horn
Two rock characteristics that affect weathering rate.
Mineral composition, cracks, permeability
Acid rain causing rock to dissolve is this type of weathering.
Chemical weathering
Two factors affecting water erosion rate.
Slope and discharge
Kettle
A narrow sea inlet, caused by the receeding of a glacier.
Fjord