WeatheringWeathering

DefinitionDefinition

• Weathering is the breakdown of materials of the Earth’s crust into smaller pieces. (sediment)

• No movement is involved.• Surface or near surface

process.

Weathering happens when the Weathering happens when the crust is exposed to:crust is exposed to:

•Water

•Wind

•Ice

WaterWater

• Water can break down the crust in many ways.– Water can dissolve some minerals right out of

the crust.– Moving Water can make pieces of rock bang

into each other.– Small chips can break off the surface of the

rock. This causes the rock to get smaller and rounder.

– The churning water of streams can wear down big pieces of rock into small round pebbles.

WATER AT WORK: Ever so slowly, water has worn away the base of this rock in Barbados. Over time,

water can sculpt rock into amazing shapes.

Water and acid created this beautiful underground room at Carlsbad Caverns

National Park. The park is also home to the nation's deepest cave. It is called Lechuguilla

Cave.

IceIce• When water freezes it expands and

takes up more space.

• Water freezing in cracks in rock, expands the rock.

• The force of the expanding rock is so great that it can split the rock apart.

Ice

WindWind

• Wind is moving air.

• The wind blows sand and other broken bits of rock all over the Earth’s surface.

• These particles also wear away the rock.

Wind

Wind

Name That Name That Type Type

of Weatheringof Weathering

What type of weathering?

Water!

What type of weathering?

Water and Wind!

What type of weathering?

Ice!

What type of weathering?

Plant?!