Weathering is the process by which rock is broken down.
Weathering is the process by which rock near the earth's surface is broken down, allowing it to be easily eroded by elements such as wind and water. There are two types of weathering, both affected by environmental factors.
Chemical Weathering
Chemical weathering is the process by which rock is transformed into something physically or chemically different than its original composition. The process, which is sped up by factors such as moisture and warmth, causes rock to soften. Some minerals are more easily chemically weathered than others.
Mechanical Weathering
Mechanical weathering is the process by which rock is broken down into very small pieces. A common way in which this occurs is when water seeps into broken areas of rocks, freezes and expands, causing the rock to break apart. Plants may also cause this type of weather, as their roots grow into rock's fissures. Exfoliation, another kind of mechanical weathering, occurs when rock breaks apart in curved layers, resulting in a dome-shaped formation.
Factors
Factors that affect weathering include temperature, moisture and exposure. Weathering tends to happen more quickly in warmer climates. Exposure to elements such as wind, rain and ice also affects weathering: the more exposure, the faster the weathering. The mineral composition of rock also affects weathering, as certain minerals weather faster than others.
Tags: process which, process which rock, which rock, broken down, affects weathering, also affects, also affects weathering