Factors that Affect the Rate of Chemical Weathering

Climate

• Climate- the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

• Two elements of climate affect the weathering rate of rocks:– Temperature– Moisture

Climate: Rainforest

• Climate: – Temperature: Hot– Moisture: Very Humid

• Very high rate of weathering

Climate: Tundra

• Climate–Temperature: Cold–Moisture: Dry

• Very slow rate of weathering

Surface Area

• The more surface area there is, the faster the rate of weathering

• As rocks get mechanically weathered into smaller pieces, the rate of chemical weathering increases

• The more surface area, the more places for the chemical to react.

Surface Area

Rock Composition

• Some rocks will weather faster because some minerals weather faster than other minerals

Fast Weathering Minerals

Feldspar Calcite

Slow Weathering Minerals

Quartz Corundum