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Weathering

The document provides an overview of weathering, defining it as the process of wearing away the Earth's surface without movement, and categorizing it into physical, chemical, and biological types. It details various mechanisms of weathering, such as frost action, pressure release, carbonation, and oxidation, and their effects on rock formation and landscape features. Additionally, it includes research activities and graded tasks to reinforce understanding of weathering processes.

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tiffanyhaughton085
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4 views

Weathering

The document provides an overview of weathering, defining it as the process of wearing away the Earth's surface without movement, and categorizing it into physical, chemical, and biological types. It details various mechanisms of weathering, such as frost action, pressure release, carbonation, and oxidation, and their effects on rock formation and landscape features. Additionally, it includes research activities and graded tasks to reinforce understanding of weathering processes.

Uploaded by

tiffanyhaughton085
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WEATHERING

November 2025
GEOGRAPHY

Prepared by: Ms. P Wilson


OBJECTIVES

Revise the definition of the term weathering

Identify the types of weathering.

Interpret how these processes shape the

Earth’s surface.
WHAT IS WEATHERING?
WHAT IS WEATHERING?

Weathering is the wearing away of the

Earth’s surface by the weather (rain,

frost, temperature change) or by plants

and animals.
TAKE NOTE

NO MOVEMENT is involved in this process.

Therefore, the breakdown is said to be in Situ (in

that place).
Types of weathering
Physical • Frost Action (freeze-thaw processes)
(mechanical) • Pressure Release
• Temperature Change (exfoliation)
Weather

• Carbonation (limestone solution)


Chemical • Oxidation
Weathering • Solution

Biotic
• Action by plant roots
(Biological) • Action by burrowing animals
Weathering
BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING

 Biological Weathering Includes both physical


and chemical processes.
 This occurs when plants and animals help to
break up weaker rocks.
ACTION BY PLANT ROOTS

Tree roots
growing into
joints in the
rock may help
to split it up.
ACTION BY BURROWING ANIMALS

Burrowing
animals and
earthworms
may help to
break up the
rock.
TAKE NOTE

When dead plants decay, acids are


produced that can play an important
part in chemical weathering.
Video for Biological Weathering
PHYSICAL WEATHERING

 The most important and widespread type of


weathering.
 This type of weathering breaks up rock but does
not change the its mineral component.
 The rock particles are soften and do not change
their colour.
FROST ACTION
Occurs when water is collected In the cracks of
the rock from dew, rain, melting ice, or frost . It
freezes at nights but melts at day when the
temperature rises.
As the water freezes, the ice expands taking up
9 % more space than the equivalent amount of
water causing a greater pressure on the rock.
The cracks widen the cracks until pieces of rock
break off.
FROST ACTION
Angular Fragments
Pressure Release

• When rocks are removed by erosion, the


pressure weighing down on the rocks
below them is reduced.
• They expand slightly, forming joints and
cracks. Eventually they fracture in sheets.
• This process is called Pressure Release.
Resulting Features
Exfoliation Domes
Temperature Changes
• Rocks expand when heated or contract when
cooled. Regular heating and cooling occurs in
some climates.
• This is common in hot desserts.
• The outside layer of the rock expands and
contracts regularly. This weakens the rock until
it peels off. This process is known as exfoliation
or onion peeling.
Resulting Features of Physical Weathering

Frost Action Angular Fragments


Scree Slopes
Pressure Release Exfoliation Domes
Exfoliation Rounded Boulders
Desert varnish
Video for Physical Weathering
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
CARBONATION

• The most important form of chemical


weathering, In limestone areas, whether they
are in tropical or temperate zones of the
world.
• Rainwater containing CO2 absorbed by the
atmosphere is able to dissolve calcareous
(calcium based) rocks.
CARBONATION
Solution

Using your textbooks or the internet, research and


make note of the process of Solution.
Use Google Images to identify a photographic
representation of Solution as a process of
Weathering.

TAS
K
OXIDATION

Occurs when rocks are exposed to oxygen in the


air or water. It is the chemical addition of oxygen
to compounds in the rock and it can weaken the
structure of the rock.

EXPLAIN THE
CHEMICAL PROCESS OF
OXIDATION
Features of Chemical Weathering
Carbonation Caves
Sinkholes
Karst Topography
Solution Dissolution pits
Widened Joints
Oxidation Reddish or brownish staining
Weakening of Rocks
ALERT
These processes DO NOT occur in isolation.

Weathering affects surface rocks the most, but


water trickling into the ground can weather
rock 200 m down.

The most extreme the climate, the faster


weathering takes place, whether the climate is
very hot or very cold.
Revision
• Click HERE to view video on physical and
chemical weathering
Research Activity
Use Google images locate the Following places.
Observe the various weathering processes.

Make note of the listed examples in your book.


Use Google Map to locate the Following

• Colorado Plateau (Weathering Features found


at the location are Alcoves and Arches formed
due to the chemical and physical weathering.
• Bryce Canyon, Utah – Hoodoos formed due to
various forms of weathering acting on it.
Use Google Map to locate the Following

• The Ankarana Special Reserve, Northern


Madagascar (Process Carbonation)
• Pennines, Northern England (Process
Carbonation)
• Sugar Loaf Mountains, Brazil (Pressure Release
creating exfoliation domes)
Use Google Map to locate the Following

• Wag Water, Jamaica (Process oxidation)

Use Google Search engine to research other


examples of weathering in Jamaica.
GRADED ACTIVITY

TASK 1
LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING IMAGES
AND NAME THE TYPE OF
WEATHERING THAT IS MOST
DOMINANT.
Give evidence to support your
answers.

Write your answers in your book.


Guess the Type of Weathering
Guess the Type of Weathering
Guess the Type of Weathering
Guess the Type of Weathering
Graded Activity 2
Task 2
1. Why does biological weathering include BOTH physical and
chemical weathering?
2. Describe the process of frost shattering in your own words.
3. Explain why frost shattering rarely occur in the Caribbean.
4. Why does rainwater cause carbonation but pure water does not?
5. Describe the chemical process of carbonization.
6. Explain the colour difference between a rock that has been
oxidized and rock that has not.

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