Hobbies And Interests

About Land Weathering

The Earth's landscape has been ever changing for the billions of years it has existed, mostly due to the natural physical processes of weathering and erosion. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks and other natural materials to smaller particles, which are then transported away in water or air through the process of erosion.
  1. Water

    • The unique physical properties of water are the largest contributors to the weathering of materials in nature. As water freezes inside of cracks and crevices, it expands, and is capable of generating enough power to split or crack rocks further. Rainwater can also pick up other chemicals in the atmosphere (acid rain), which can chemically weather the surfaces of rocks.

    Temperature

    • Fluctuating temperatures change the speed of molecules inside of matter, and makes them slightly expand with heat, or contract with cold. Consistent temperature fluctuation slowly breaks down chemical bonds and creates cracks and crevices in rock formations.

    Wind

    • Wind is capable of picking up small rock fragments and sand, which can then forcibly hit and weather another surface. The weathering capability of wind is directly related to the wind speed, and the size and density of the particles it can transport.

    Biological

    • Plants, which have evolved to grow on hard surfaces, are capable of putting down root systems that can weather away rock formations. Lichens, plants similar to fungi or algae, live specifically on rocks and produce acid and chemical byproducts that weather rock surfaces.


https://www.htfbw.com © Hobbies And Interests