weathering and erosion

1. Weathering and
Erosion

2. Weathering
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soils
and minerals as well as artificial materials
through contact with the Earth's atmosphere,
biota and waters.

3. Weathering by frost wedging

4. Mechanical weathering
mechanical weathering is a physical
process.

5. Water weathered tree

6. How is a plant or animal an agent
of mechanical weathering?
Plants and animals are agents of mechanical weathering. The seed of a tree may sprout in
soil that has collected in a cracked rock. As the roots grow, they widen the cracks, eventually
breaking the rock into pieces. Over time, trees can break apart even large rocks. Even small
plants, such as mosses, can enlarge tiny cracks as they grow.
Animals that tunnel underground, such as moles and prairie dogs, also work to break apart
rock and soil. Other animals dig and trample rock aboveground, causing rock to slowly
crumble.

7. Biological
weathering
Roots
growing
into
rock

8. Animals
burrow
Badger

9. Erosion
Erosion is the process by which soil and
rock are removed from the Earth's
surface by natural processes such as
wind or water flow

10. Erosion
by wind
Erosion by water

11. Leaching
Leaching is the process of extracting
minerals from a solid by dissolving
them in a liquid

13. Rain water is slightly acidic
Rain water is slightly acidic because
Carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid
when mixed with water

15. Major factors involved in how
fast weathering occurs
Climate, mineral composition,
amount of water

18. Soil Horizons
The layers in a soil profile are called
horizons

19. Soil
horizons

20. soil and climate related
Warmer temperatures and high rainfall
increase rate of soil formation. Cooler
temperatures and less rain slow it
down.

23. Conserve soil
Some ways to conserve soil are
Contour farming/shelter belts, cover
crops, and strip crops.

24. Shelter belt
Contour farming

25. Cover
crops
Strip crops

26. Thank you
for viewing