A GIS Lesson

What is Weathering?

The process of rocks or other substances breaking down at or near the Earth’s surface is called weathering.

Not to be confused with…

…Erosion or Deposition.

Types of Weathering.

• Chemical Weathering

• Mechanical Weathering

• Biological Weathering

Mechanical Weathering.

Mechanical weathering is the physical break down of a material without altering its chemical composition

Agents of Mechanical Weathering.

Abrasion

Exfoliation

Frost Action

Organic Activity

Gravity

Chemical Weathering.

Chemical Weathering is the alteration of the chemical composition of a material in breaking it down

Agents of Chemical Weathering.

Carbonation

Oxidation

Acid Rain

Plant Acid

Hydrolysis

Weathering treasures…

Rates of Weathering.

1

2

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1. Tropical rainforest 2. Hot desert

3. Temperate mountains 4. Polar Regions

Rates of Weathering.

Austin, Texas

Annual Temperature: 20.3oC

Annual Rainfall: 82.4cm

What kind of Weathering does the Richmond area see?

take a virtual field trip and see for yourself.

To visualize the images we will use a GIS software application called ArcIMS.

ArcIMS can take lots of data and images…

…and tie it to a map.

These maps are georeferenced…

…so you can layer them.

http://mathsciencecenter.infoGo to this website:

Click on ‘Lessons on the Web’

Click on ‘GIS on the Web’

Click on ‘Applications’ and then click on your lesson.

Open ArcIMS up by clicking the

title.

Once opened you should see this screen in your browser.

Use the worksheet to complete the virtual tour.