weathering and erosion

weathering and erosion

1. weathering

   • Weathering is the breakdown of materials in the earths crust into sediment
   • can be physical or chemical
   • mechanical weathering
     • Mechanical weathering breaks up the rock into smaller pieces
     • One type of mechanical weathering is called freeze thaw action
   • Chemical weathering
     • Chemical weathering dissolves rocks
     • an example of chemical weathering is called carbonation
       • Carbonation-Karst landscapes
         • Carbonation occurs in areas where bare limestone rock is exposed to the weather
           • these areas are known as karst landscapes
             • An example of a karst landscape is The Burren Co. Clare

2. erosion

   • Erosion is when the weathered material is carried away

3. denudation

   • the rocks and the soil of the earths crust are continually being worn down because of a number of processes
     • these processes are known collectively as denudation
   • denudation occurs as a result of weathering and erosion

4. caves and caverns

   • stalactites
     • hang from the ceiling
   • stalagmites
     • a thick column on the floor
   • pillars
     • these are formed when stalactites and stalagmites meet

5. mass movement

   • Mass movement is the movement of loose weathered material (Regolith)
   • factors that effect mass movement
     • !.slope
     • 2.water
     • 3.vegetation
     • 4.human activity
   • types of mass movement
     • soil creep (slow)
     • landslides (rapid)
     • bog burst (fast)
     • mud flow (very rapid)