Knowra Weathering Weathering Weathering is the physical breakdown and chemical alteration of rock at or near Earth’s surface. It occurs in place, unlike erosion, which transports material.
Mechanical weathering : The physical breakdown of rock into smaller pieces without changing its mineral composition. It describes weathering that fractures rock while leaving its minerals chemically unchanged.
Mineral : A naturally occurring, generally inorganic solid with a defined chemical composition and crystal structure. Mineral composition determines which chemical reactions can alter a rock.
Soil formation : The development of soil through mineral alteration, organic inputs, and physical mixing. Weathered rock supplies mineral material that contributes to soil development.
Erosion : The removal and transport of soil or rock by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Weathering alters rock in place; erosion carries loosened material away.
Carbonate–silicate cycle : A long-term geochemical cycle linking silicate weathering, carbonate burial, volcanism, and atmospheric carbon dioxide. Silicate weathering consumes carbon dioxide and connects rock alteration to climate regulation.
Chemical weathering : The alteration of rock minerals through reactions with water, gases, acids, or other substances. It describes weathering that changes minerals rather than merely breaking rock apart.
Rock : A naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals or mineraloids. Weathering acts on rock and depends on its mineral makeup and structure.
Regolith : A layer of loose material covering solid bedrock, including soil and weathered rock fragments. Weathering produces much of the loose material above unweathered bedrock.
Mass wasting : The downslope movement of rock, soil, or debris under the force of gravity. Gravity transports weathered material downslope rather than altering it in place.
Chemical weathering rate : The amount of rock or mineral chemically altered per unit time and area. Its variation with climate and rock properties influences carbon consumption and dissolved loads.
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