Chapter 7: Weathering, Erosion and Soil Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 7: Weathering, Erosion and Soil Deck (23)
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1
Q

weathering

A

the process by which rocks on the surface break down and change

2
Q

erosion

A

the removal and transport of weathered material to another location

3
Q

factors that contribute to mechanical weathering

A

temperature, water and pressure

4
Q

exfoliation

A

the process by which outer rock layers are stripped away

5
Q

chemical weathering

A

the process by which rocks and minerals an undergo changes in their composition as a result of chemical reactions

6
Q

chemical weathering factors

A

water (dissolves minerals and rocks), oxygen (form reactions with other elements), CO2 (when it reacts with water in the atmosphere it can form a weak acid

7
Q

Where is chemical and mechanical weathering dominant

A

Chemical- warm climate, abundant rainfall, lush vegitation

Mechanical- cool, dry climates where water undergoes freezing and thawing

8
Q

rill erosion

A

the erosion by running water in small channels on the side of a slope

9
Q

gully erosion

A

when a channel becomes wide

10
Q

deposition

A

when materials are dropped in another location in the final stage of the erosional process

11
Q

gravity and erosion

A

gravity pulls materials down slope landslides, mudflows, avalanches etc.

12
Q

Where is wind erosion a major issue

A

in areas with little vegetation, little rain and high temperatures
ex. Death Valley

13
Q

What is soil? What is it made of

A

loose covering of broken rock particles and decaying organic matter humus overlying the bedrock of the earth’s surface

14
Q

residual vs. transported soil

A

soil located above parent material vs. soil moved to another location away from its parent bedrock

15
Q

What is a soil profile

A

vertical sequence of soil layers

16
Q

Horizon A soil

A

rich in organic mater and humus and is dark coloured

17
Q

Horizon B soil

A

contains subsoils enriched with clay minerals. have lots of minerals that have been leached out from topsoil can form hard soil that allows little soil to pass thorough

18
Q

Horizon C soil

A

contains weathered parent material, directly above bedrock

19
Q

Polar soils

A

form at high latitudes and elevations, very shallow and virtually no horizons

20
Q

temperate soils

A

able to support diverse environments like forests, grasslands, and parries, fertile

21
Q

desert soils

A

lots of salts and limited vegetation, lots of salts

22
Q

tropical soils

A

high temperatures and heavy rainfalls, lots of weathered infertile soil

23
Q

How are soil textures classified

A

According to size, silt sand or clay being the smallest and with clay the smallest and sand the largest