Weathered Stone
While mountains and other rock formations may seem permanent, over long periods of time they all break down and decompose. Weathering, a stage in the rock cycle, is one of several geologic processes that contributes to rock decay.
Weathering
Weathering is the decomposing and disintegrated of rocks on the earth's surface. There are two types of weathering. One is a chemical process that alters the mineral content of rock. The other is a mechanical process that breaks rock down into smaller pieces.
Chemical Weathering
When rocks are exposed to air and water over long periods of time the composition and mineral content is changed.
Mechanical Weathering
This is what happens when larger rocks are broken down into smaller ones but the chemical composition stays the same.
The Rock Cycle
The continuous process that changes the three types of rocks from one type to another.
Rock Types
There are three types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are made of solidified magma. Sedimentary rocks are made of loose sediment that was solidified. Metamorphic rocks are any type of rock that has been changed because of high temperature and/or intense pressure.
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