12 - Weathering and Mass Wasting

12 - Weathering and Mass Wasting#

Mass wasting is the movement of material downslope in response to gravity. It is caused by physical weathering.

12.1 - How Does Physical Weathering Affect Earth’s Surface?#

Joints are fractures in rocks that help break them into smaller pieces and permit water and roots to penetrate the rock, promoting more weathering.

12.2 - How Does Chemical Weathering Affect Earth’s Surface?#

Chemical weathering can make rocks dissolve or break down existing minerals, producing new minerals called secondary minerals.

Chemical weathering can occur in the following ways:

  • Dissolution: Some minerals are soluble in water and can dissolve in water and be carried away in streams or groundwater.

  • Oxidation: Some minerals bond with oxygen to form oxide minerals.

  • Hydrolysis: Silicate minerals react chemically with water, converting the original minerals into clay minerals.

  • Biological Reactions: Decaying plants produce acids and some bacteria consume parts of rocks.

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