Climate affecting Weathering

• What does Vantoff's law state about chemical weathering?

  Rate increases 2-3x for every 10°C rise
• What are the characteristics of the glacial/periglacial climatic region?

  • Frost-freeze thaw
  • High soil leaching, low organic matter decomposition in Taiga
  • Low precipitation and temperature in Tundra
  • Moist conditions in Permafrost, slow organic production
  • Bacterial weathering and hydration weathering due to moisture
• What is the rate of weathering in Narvik?

  0.001 mm a year
• What is the rate of weathering in Alaska?

  0.04 mm a year
• What are the characteristics of the arid/semi-arid climatic region?

  • Evaporation exceeds precipitation
  • Low rain, high temperatures, low organic content
  • Mechanical and salt weathering in dry areas
  • Slight leaching produces CaCO3 in soil
  • Salt crystal growth occurs in dry areas
• What is the rate of weathering in Egypt?

  2 mm a year
• What is the rate of weathering in Australia?

  1 mm a year
• What are the characteristics of the temperate climatic region?

  • Fluctuating precipitation and evaporation
  • Mechanical and chemical weathering occur
  • Iron oxides leached and redeposited
  • Carbonates deposited in drier areas
  • Moderate to high organic content
• What is the rate of weathering in Austria?

  0.015-0.04 mm yr^-1
• What are the characteristics of the humid tropical climatic region?

  • High rainfall, often seasonal
  • Long periods of high temperatures
  • High moisture availability
  • Weathering products accumulate to black clay or lateritic soils
  • Highest rates of weathering due to heat and rainfall
• What is the rate of weathering in Florida?

  0.005 mm a year
• What type of weathering occurs in humid tropical regions?

  Hydrolysis weathering from minerals in rock
• How does temperature affect the rate of chemical weathering?

  • Rate increases 2-3 times for every 10°C rise
  • Maximum temperature for weathering is 60°C