Geo-weathering and the different types

• Weathering


  A physical process and natural process that is the breaking down of rock where it is located
• Types of weathering


  • Chemical weathering
  • Mechanical weathering
• Chemical weathering


  • Involves a chemical reaction usually involving rainwater or seawater hitting the rock and beginning to break it down
• Types of chemical weathering

  • Carbonation weathering
  • Hydrolysis
  • Oxidation
• Carbonic

  Carbonic acid in rainwater reacts with calcium carbonate in limestone, resulting in the formation of soluble calcium bicarbonate, which is then washed away.
• Hydrolysis


  Acidic rainwater or acid rain breaking down the rock and causing it to rot
• Oxidation


  The rock is broken down by the oxygen and the water
• Chemical weathering patterns


  • Magnificent patterns and features within the rock and the landscape
• Mechanical weathering


  A physical change in the rock where the rock has actually been disintegrated or broken down rather than decomposed or worn by a chemical change
• Types of mechanical weathering

  • Freeze-thaw weathering
  • Salt weathering
• Freeze-thaw weathering


  1. Temperature alternates above and below freezing point

  2. Water gets into cracks

  3. Water freezes and expands

  4. Water thaws and contracts

  5. Repeated process widens cracks and breaks rock
• Salt weathering


  1. Saltwater spray gets into rock cracks

  2. Salt water evaporates and crystallizes

  3. Crystals expand and put pressure on rock

  4. Rock structure weakens and breaks up