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Earth Sci > Sedimentary rocks, weathering, erosion, soil study > Flashcards

Sedimentary rocks, weathering, erosion, soil study Flashcards

(73 cards)

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1
Q

Are sediments rocks?

A

No

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2
Q

What creates sedimentary rocks?

A

sediments are compacted and then cemented together

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3
Q

What creates sediments?

A

Weathering, moved by erosion, and dropped by deposition

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4
Q

Clastic

A

Made of sediments of pre-existing rocks

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5
Q

What are the types of Non-Clastic (Sedimentary) rocks?

A

Chemical, and Biological

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6
Q

Chemical

Non-Clastic rock

A

Made of dissolved sediments that precipitate out of water

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7
Q

Biological (Organic)

Non-Clastic rock

A

Rock forms from biological (living) sources

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8
Q

What are the unique features of sedimentary rocks

A

Strata, Fossils, Ripple Marks, and Mud Cracks

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9
Q

Strata

A

If undisturbed sedimentary rock is put down in layers

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10
Q

Fossils

A

Remains or traces of ancient life

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11
Q

Ripple Marks

A

Tells you that the rock was formed where there was moving water

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12
Q

Mud cracks

A

Tells you that the rock was formed as sediments were drying out

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13
Q

Weathering

A

The breaking of rock into smaller pieces (sediments)

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14
Q

Erosion

A

Movement of sediments

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15
Q

Deposition

A

The dropping of sediments.

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16
Q

Mechanical Weathering

Also called physical weathering

A

Breaking down of rock into smaller pieces without
changing the chemistry of the rock

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17
Q

Chemical Weathering

A

Chemical reactions cause rock to break down, the chemistry of the rock has changed

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18
Q

What happends the more physical weathering a rock experiences

A

The smoother the surface

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19
Q

Wind

Mechanical (Physical) Weathering

A

sand dunes

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20
Q

Water

Mechanical (Physical) Weathering

A

waves and rivers

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21
Q

Exfoliation

Mechanical (Physical) Weathering

A

glaciers

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22
Q

Plant Action

Mechanical (Physical) Weathering

A

like frost wedging but with plant roots

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23
Q

Ice

Mechanical (Physical) Weathering

A

frost wedging is when water gets into crevices and expands

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24
Q

Plant Action

Mechanical (Physical) Weathering

A

like frost wedging but with plant roots

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25
Pressure Unloading
When a top layer of rock is scraped off it relieves pressure and rock underneath expands
26
Oxidation | Chemical Weathering
rusting of iron
27
Acid Rain | Chemical Weathering
rain that has been made acidic by certain pollutants in the air
28
Carbonation | Chemical Weathering
aves and caverns
29
Lichens | Chemical Weathering
can grow on rocks and release enzymes to break them down
30
Deposition
When the force that causes erosion stops or eases large/dense sediments are dropped first | Sorting is a common natural occurrence ## Footnote Small sediments can stay suspended
31
Rivers
weathering breaks down rocks and soil, erosion transports the broken material, and deposition is when the transported material settles out and is dropped in a new location
32
River Deposits
*Flood Plain* - Areas on banks of rivers that get flooded. *Delta* - Fan/triangle shaped deposit at mouth of river. *Alluvial Fan* - Fan shaped deposit at base of mountain.
33
Glaciers
As a glacier moves the surface is scratched and rocks can be moved large distances
34
Ocean Waves
weathering (breaking down rocks), erosion (moving broken materials), and deposition (dropping materials)
35
Mass Movement
Gravity causes this | EX: Landslides/Mudslides, avalanches, creep
35
Succession
Created over time as solid bedrock is exsposed to weathering forces
36
Soil
Product of weathering, erosion, and deposition
36
Wind
causes weathering & erosion
36
Soil Horizons (layers):
Horizon O- organic matter/humus Horizon A- topsoil, rich dark and at surface Horizon B- subsoil, clay that fell from above layer Horizon C- partially weathered bedrock Horizon D- solid bedrock, parent material
37
Agriculture and Overgrazing
Farming removes plants that are native and replaces them with shallow rooted plants that are usually tilled every year
37
Construction
Pulls up all plants that held the soil in the ground
38
Windbreaks
Surrounding fields with trees to reduce wind erosion and weathering
38
Logging and Mining
Logging and Mining
39
Contour Farming
Plowing along the lines of the land
40
Strip Farming
Alternation rows of crops
41
No Till Farming
The field isn’t disturbed between harvest and planting
42
What process creates sediments from rocks?
Weathering ## Footnote Weathering involves breaking down rocks into smaller pieces.
43
What is the movement of sediments called?
Erosion ## Footnote Erosion refers to the transport of weathered materials.
44
What is the term for the dropping of sediments?
Deposition ## Footnote Deposition occurs when the energy causing erosion decreases.
45
What defines clastic sedimentary rocks?
Rocks made of sediments of pre-existing rocks ## Footnote Clastic rocks can be classified by sediment size.
46
What are non-clastic sedimentary rocks?
Rocks formed from dissolved sediments that precipitate out of water ## Footnote Includes chemical and biological (organic) rocks.
47
Give examples of biological sedimentary rocks.
* Coal * Coquina ## Footnote Coal is formed from swamp plants, while coquina is made from shells.
48
What is strata in sedimentary rocks?
Layers of undisturbed sedimentary rock ## Footnote Strata indicate the order of sediment deposition.
49
What do fossils in sedimentary rocks indicate?
Remains or traces of ancient life ## Footnote Fossils provide evidence of past life forms.
50
What do ripple marks in sedimentary rocks signify?
Formation in moving water ## Footnote Ripple marks indicate the environment of deposition.
51
What indicates that a rock was formed as sediments dried out?
Mud cracks ## Footnote Mud cracks form when wet sediments lose moisture.
52
What is mechanical weathering?
Breaking down of rock into smaller pieces without changing its chemistry ## Footnote Also known as physical weathering.
53
What is chemical weathering?
Chemical reactions cause rock to break down, changing its chemistry ## Footnote Examples include oxidation and acid rain.
54
List examples of mechanical weathering.
* Wind * Water * Exfoliation * Ice * Plant Action * Pressure Unloading ## Footnote Each process contributes to the physical breakdown of rocks.
55
What are common causes of chemical weathering?
* Oxidation * Acid Rain * Carbonation * Lichens ## Footnote These processes alter the chemical structure of rocks.
56
What is the sorting process in deposition?
Larger/dense sediments are dropped first, smaller ones stay suspended ## Footnote Sorting occurs when the energy of the transporting medium decreases.
57
What is a flood plain?
Areas on banks of rivers that get flooded ## Footnote Flood plains are formed by river deposition.
58
What is a delta?
Fan/triangle shaped deposit at the mouth of a river ## Footnote Deltas are formed from sediments deposited by river flow.
59
What is an alluvial fan?
Fan shaped deposit at the base of a mountain ## Footnote Alluvial fans form when a river slows down upon exiting a mountain.
60
What impact do glaciers have on the landscape?
Scratching the surface and moving rocks over large distances ## Footnote Glacial movement shapes terrain through erosion.
61
How do ocean waves cause weathering?
By hitting the land and causing erosion and deposition ## Footnote Wave energy influences the shape of coastlines.
62
What is mass movement?
Movement of soil and rock due to gravity ## Footnote Includes landslides, mudslides, and creep.
63
What are the components of soil?
* Sediments * Organic material (humus) * Water * Air ## Footnote Soil is formed from weathering and deposition processes.
64
What are the soil horizons?
* Horizon O: organic matter/humus * Horizon A: topsoil * Horizon B: subsoil * Horizon C: partially weathered bedrock * Horizon D: solid bedrock ## Footnote Horizons represent different layers of soil development.
65
What factors determine soil type?
* Parent material * Time * Climate * Organisms * Slope ## Footnote Different environments produce various soil types.
66
What type of soil consists of 10% clay, 60% silt, and 30% sand?
Silt Loam ## Footnote Soil texture can be represented in a texture pyramid.
67
What are causes of soil erosion?
* Agriculture * Overgrazing * Construction * Logging and Mining ## Footnote These activities lead to soil degradation.
68
List solutions to soil erosion.
* Windbreaks * Contour Farming * Strip Farming * No Till Farming ## Footnote These practices help preserve soil structure and reduce erosion.

Earth Sci (3 decks)

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