Changes in the earth that happen over time or gradually
Slow
changes in the earth that happen immediately
Fast
examples of slow changes
Weathering, Erosion, Deposition
examples of fast changes
Earthquake: Landslides, liquefaction
Volcanic Eruptions: Caldera, New Landforms
Breaking down of rocks and minerals on the earths surface
Weathering
Types of weathering
mechanical and chemical
What is Mechanical?
the face change of the rock
What is Chemical?
the change of chemical composition of the rock.
A mountain hiker notices that after a cold night, small cracks in a rock became larger by the next morning. Later in spring, the cracks are even wider. Which weathering process caused this?
freeze-thaw
At a shoreline, waves continuously crash and make rocks bump against each other, gradually becoming smooth and rounded. What type of weathering is this?
Abrasion
A geologist observes that rocks near a desert coastline are slowly crumbling. They discover that salty water had seeped into cracks, dried up, and left crystals that expanded inside the rocks. What weathering process
Haloclasty
In a forest trail, roots of trees are seen pushing apart sidewalks and breaking small boulders apart as the roots grow thicker. What process is at work?
Plant wedging
A limestone cave forms after slightly acidic rainwater (carbonic acid) dissolves the calcium carbonate in the rock over thousands of years. What type of weathering is this?
Carbonation
A farmer notices that certain minerals from the rocks in his field are being washed away after frequent rain, leaving the soil with fewer nutrients. Which process best explains this?
Dissolution
A large rock containing iron turns reddish-brown after years of exposure to air and rain. What caused this color change?
oxidation
Granite in a mountain is slowly altered when feldspar minerals inside react with acidic rainwater, forming clay and salts that wash away. Which weathering is this?
Hydrolysis (Minerals react)
transfer or transportation of materials from one place to another
Erosion
the settling of earthen materials
Deposition
What category does Deltas fall into?
Deposition
After a heavy rain, a farmer notices that the topsoil in his field looks scattered and uneven, as if tiny craters were formed from the impact of water drops. What process is this?
Splash erosion
During a storm, water rushes down a sloped road carrying mud, rocks, and trash along with it. The flowing water displaces soil and carves shallow channels into the ground. Which type of erosion occurred?
Run offs/ Flashflood
A fishing village near the sea notices that their shoreline has been shrinking over the years. The constant pounding of waves has carried away sand and rocks, reshaping the coast. Which process is this?
Coastal erosio
A river that was once narrow has widened over centuries, carving deeper into the earth and creating a V-shaped formation between mountains. What process is this?
Valley Erosion
After days of continuous rainfall, a hillside collapses, sending rocks and soil tumbling down rapidly into the road below. Which type of erosion is this?
Mass wasting