Weathering, Erosion, Deposition, & Landforms Flashcards
(42 cards)
Weathering
The natural process by which atmospheric and environmental agents, such as wind, rain, and temperature changes, disintegrate and decompose rocks.
Physical Weathering
The mechanical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces that is caused by the natural processes and that does not change the chemical composition of the rock materials.
Chemical Weathering
The chemical breakdown and decomposition of rocks by natural processes in the environment.
Oxidation
A chemical reaction in which a material combines with oxygen to form new materials; in geology, oxidation is a form of chemical weathering.
Abrasion
The process by which rock is reduced in size by the scraping action of other rocks driven by water, wind, and gravity.
Acid Precipitation
precipitation , such as rain, sleet, or snow, that contains a high concentration of acids, often because of the pollution of the atmosphere.
Stalactites
Mineral formations hanging from the ceilings of caves, formed by the deposition of dissolved minerals from dripping water.
Stalagmites
Mineral formations that rise from the floors of caves, formed by dripping water depositing minerals.
Erosion
The process by which sediment and other materials are moved from one place to another
Deposition
The process by which eroded material is dropped.
Groundwater
The water located within the rocks below Earth’s surface.
Shoreline
The place where land and a body of water meet.
Floodplain
A flat area of layers deposited sediment.
Beach
An area of shoreline that is made up of material deposited by waves and currents.
Delta
Loads that are deposited by streams in a fan-shaped pattern.
Sandbar
An underwater or exposed ridge of sand, gravel, or shell material.
Alluvial Fan
A fan-shaped deposit that forms on dry land.
Barrier Island
A long, narrow island, usually made of sand, that forms parallel to the shoreline a short distance offshore.
Gradient
The measure of the change in elevation over a certain distance.
Sea Cliffs
Forms when waves erode and undecut rock to make steep slopes.
Wave-out Platforms
When a sea-cliff erodes above the waterline, a bench of rock usually remains beneath the water at the cliff’s base. The bench is called a wave-cut platform.
Sea Caves
Headlands form as some parts of a cliff are cut back faster than other parts. As the rock making up sea cliffs and headlands erodes, it breaks and cracks. Waves can cut deeply into the cracks and form
large holes. As the holes continue to erode, they become sea caves.
Sea Arches
A sea cave may erode even
further and eventually become a sea arch.
Sea Stacks
When the top of a sea arch collapses, its sides become
sea stacks.
