CHAPTER10-NUCLEARPHYSICS.docVIP

CHAPTER 23 - SURFACE PROCESSES Weathering Weathering is the physical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rock on or near the Earths surface. Physical weathering is the breakup of rock into smaller pieces without any change in its chemical composition. A common type of physical weathering is frost wedging. Water enters cracks and crevices in rock material and freezes during cold weather. Since water expands as it freezes, it causes the rock surrounding it to fracture into smaller pieces. In the far northern latitudes the ground may remain frozen all year. In this case a permafrost layer exists. If the topsoil thaws during the summer the remaining frozen layer can trap water near the surface creating a wet and spongy layer. Plants and animals play a smaller role in weathering. Plant root systems can cause rock to fracture in a manner similar to frost wedging. Creatures that burrow like earthworms and ants also bring subsoil to the surface. Chemical weathering occurs when there is an actual change in the chemical composition of the rock. Heat and moisture play a role in chemical weathering so it is most prevalent in hot, moist climates. One of the most common types of chemical weathering involves limestone which is made of calcite (CaCO3). Water can combine with carbon dioxide to form a weak solution of carbonic acid. As this acid comes in contact with limestone, it reacts chemically to convert insoluble limestone into water soluble calcium bicarbonate. As the calcium bicarbonate is carried away, large caverns can be carved out in underground limestone formations. If the ceiling of the cavern collapses, a sinkhole appears on the surface. Sinkholes are fairly common in Florida and south Georgia since most of the underlying rock is limestone. Sinkholes north of Macon are rare since the underlying rock becomes granite or basalt. Erosion Erosion is the wearing away of soil and rock by weathering and mass wasting (downhill movement of soil and rock) or b