Earth Science BL. 1

Rate of Weathering

Isabella, Rebecca, and Danny

I. What is “rate of weathering”?

• Rate of weathering is how fast or how slow a rock is weathered, chemically or physically.

II. Factors that affect the rate of weathering

• 1.Rock Composition-

The materials in a rock can have an affect on the rate of weathering.

• Top: Granite• Bottom: Limestone

II. Factors cont.

• 2. Surface Area- The more surface area that is exposed, the faster the rate of weathering.

• Above: crushed rock• Below: whole

II. Factors cont.

• 3. Climate- Temperature and moisture, or humidity, are huge factors in the rate of weathering.

II. Factors cont. (Will this end?)

• 4. Topography- Steep slopes= massive movements of rocks (thanks to gravity, of course)

• Top: topographic map• Bottom: land slide

II. Factors cont. (last one!)

• 5. any others?

Differential weathering- different types of weathering occurring in different parts of a rock

Top: Chemical

Bottom: Mechanical

III. Examples

• Hot and dry climate= very slow weathering

• Hot and humid climate= very fast weathering

III. Examples

• Mid temp and moderate precipitation= fair amount of weathering