geomorphic processes

• mechanical weathering


  a term used to refer to all the weathering processes including freezethaw and wind (weather factors)
• chemical weathering 


  all rain and sea water is slightly acidic: when spray from waves lands on rocks, the salt crystal grow and create stresses in the rock causing it to break down
• biological weathering

  roots of vegetation grow into cracks in the rocks forcing it to split apart. animal movement can also cause the rock to break down
• sub-aerial processes


  processes that happen in the air, rather than near the water
• weathering is the impact of mechanical, chemical and biological processes which act to break down the surface of the Earth
• abrasion


  waves throw sediment against the base of the cliff and the land is worn away
• erosion


  the wearing away of material by a moving force
• hydraulic action

  • air is forced into the cracks in the rocks between the waves
  • the air in the crack expands explosively outwards
  • the pressure is released by the receding water
• solution


  rocks slowly dissolved in acid water