Weathering And Mass Movement Flashcards
(17 cards)
Denudation
Process of rocks and soil being worn down
What are the two main processes of denudation?
Weathering
Erosion
Weathering
Breaking down of rocks and soil that are exposed to weather
What are the two types of weathering?
Mechanical
Chemical
Erosion
Breaking down of rocks and soil and the TRANSPORTATION of the eroded material
Erosion is caused by?
Moving water
Moving ice
Moving air
An example of mechanical weathering?
Freeze-thaw action
Explain the process of freeze-thaw action
- Water seeps into cracks in the rock
- At night, temperatures fall below freezing point. The water in the cracks freezes and expands by 9%, putting pressure on the rock
- This process continues over time, widening the cracks and joints in the rock causing it to weaken and break off.
What is broken down rock found at the bottom of a mountain or cliff called?
Scree
Example of freeze - thaw action
Croaky Patrick Co.Mayo
Chemical Weathering - Carbonation
- Air contains carbon dioxide
- Rainwater mixes with the carbon dioxide to form a weak carbonic acid
- Limestone contains calcium carbonate
- When the weak carbonic acid mixes with the calcium carbonate it dissolves the limestone
- limestone is permeable so rainwater can pass through
Example of carbonation
Burren Co.Clare
Example of carbonation?
The Burren
Carbonation occurs in what kind of areas?
What are these areas know as?
Where bare limestone rock is exposed
Karst landscapes
Example of a karst landscape?
Burren Co.Clare
Two surface features of karst landscape?
Limestone pavement
Swallow holes
Limestone pavement
Carbonation in the joints makes it wider
