Chapter 11 Weathering, Karst Landscapes, & Mass Movement Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 11 Weathering, Karst Landscapes, & Mass Movement Deck (29)
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1
Q

Physical Weathering

A

Frost Wedging
Salt-Crystal Growth
Exfoliation
Root Wedging

2
Q

Factors that influence weathering

A
  • Rock Composition and Structure
  • Climate (Precipitation and Temperature)
  • Slope Orientation
  • Subsurface Water
  • Vegetation
3
Q

Chemical Weathering

A
Spheroidal Weathering
Hydration
Hydrolysis
Oxidation "Rusting"
Dissolution of Carbonates
4
Q

Solution Sinkhole

A

Forms due to gradual dissolution of
carbonate rock
- Depths of 7-330 feet; 33-3300 feet wide

5
Q

Collapse Sinkhole

A

When a solution sinkhole collapses
through roof of underground cavern
- Develops over hours or days
- Common in Florida

6
Q

Denudation

A

Any process that wears away or rearranges landforms

7
Q

Bedrock

A

Solid, consolidated rock

8
Q

Regolith

A

Rock fragments; broken up

9
Q

Soil

A

Rock fragments and finer particles;

dirt; developed from parent material

10
Q

Physical Weathering:

Frost Wedging

A

Water penetrates rock through pores (holes) and joints

- When water freezes, it expands; causes wedges in rock to break

11
Q

Physical Weathering:

Salt-Crystal Growth

A

Water is easily evaporated in arid regions

- When water evaporates, salt is left behind in pores and joints

12
Q

Physical Weathering:

Exfoliation

A

Rock peeling or slipping off in sheets

  • Shedding of the outer layer
  • Similar to losing outer layers of an onion
13
Q

Physical Weathering:

Root Wedging

A

Roots create joints in rock; wedge them apart

14
Q

Chemical Weathering:

Spheroidal Weathering

A

Causes the softening and rounding of rock

- Water penetrates rock joints and dissolves or cements weaker minerals

15
Q

Chemical Weathering:

Hydration

A

Minerals combining with water

- Structural change; little chemical change

16
Q

Chemical Weathering:

Hydrolysis

A

Decomposition of chemicals

with water reaction

17
Q

Chemical Weathering:

Oxidation

A

“Burning” of metals in rock due to reactions with oxygen (rusting)
- Weakens bonds that holds minerals together

18
Q

Chemical Weathering:

Dissolution of Carbonates

A

Weathering of rock with calcium carbonate by a weak acid

  • Limestone common example
  • Water vapor dissolves carbon dioxide
19
Q

Geography of Weathering

A

More active in lower latitudes
- Heat, moisture, vegetation are abundant
• Frost action
- Occurs primarily in higher latitudes and elevations
• Salt Wedging
- Occurs primarily in arid regions

20
Q

Mass Movement

A

Downslope movement of material
• Made up of soil, sediment, or rock
• Gravity and water are primary forces
• Short distance (up to a few miles)

21
Q

Mass Movement:

Slope

A

An inclined surface that rock

material moves down

22
Q

Mass Movement:

Conditions for Slope Failure

A

Saturation by heavy rainfall

Volcanic eruption melts ice and snow

23
Q

Mass Movement:

Rockfall

A

Volume of rock that falls; hits surface

- Forms Talus Slope: Cone-shaped piles of broken rocks

24
Q

Mass Movement:

Debris Avalanches

A

Mass of tumbling rock, debris, soil

  • Ice and water move debris
  • Danger from rapid speed
25
Q

Mass Movement:

Earthflow

A

Movement of fine-grained material

- A scarp (cliff) created at top of hillside

26
Q

Mass Movement:

Mudflow

A

Movement of very watery fine-grained rock material

  • Flows like liquid
  • Faster than earthflows
27
Q

Mass Movement:

Soil Creep

A

Slowest of all mass movement

  • Movement of soil/regolith overtime
  • Soil particles lifted and disturbed
28
Q

Mass Movement:

Landslide/Rockslide

A

Occur more rapidly than soil creeps and flows (within minutes)
- Occur on steep slopes

29
Q

What type of physical weathering is limited to arid regions?

A

Salt Crystal Growth