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Erosion……. Weathering……. What’s the Difference?. Weathering. Weathering is the process of decomposing, breaking up, or changing the color of rocks . Weathering may be caused by water , air, chemicals, plants, or animals Two types of weathering
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Weathering • Weathering is the process of decomposing, breaking up, or changing the color of rocks. • Weathering may be caused by water, air, chemicals, plants, or animals • Two types of weathering • Chemical weathering involves: Carbon dioxide, oxygen, • water, and acids may all cause chemical weathering. • Mechanical weathering is the process of breaking a large rock into smaller pieces without changing the minerals in the rock. Mechanical weathering may be caused by frost, ice, plant roots, running water, or heat from the sun.
Erosion . Once the small pieces of rocks are changed or broken apart by weathering, they may start to be moved by wind, water, or ice. When the smaller rock pieces (now pebbles, sand or soil) are moved by these natural forces, it is called erosion.
Gravity ‘“ loose particles are pulled downhill. This can sometimes have a snowballing effect. • Ice ‘“ the most common form involves glaciers scraping up loose substrate and pushing it in front of them. • Water ‘“ particles are loosened and picked up by raindrops or flowing surface water. • Shoreline ‘“ the sand and rock on the shoreline is pounded by the movement of a river or waves. Particles are loosened and swept away in the water. • Wind ‘“ loose soil and rocks are picked up by the wind and carried away
So, if a rock is changed or broken but stays where it is, it is called weathering. If the pieces of weathered rock are moved away, it is called erosion.
Erosion caused by rain or irrigation, showing how water can wash away the soil
Mechanical weathering by frost and ice, causing the rocks to break apart
Summary: 1.Weathering involves breaking up rocks and soil. Erosion involves moving the broken up particles. 2.Both weathering and erosion are caused by many factors. 3.Weathering and erosion work together to degrade the soil and change our landscape.