Frost Action• That process occurs when the water inside of rocks freezes

and expands. That expansion cracks the rocks from the inside and eventually breaks them apart. The freeze-thaw cycle happens over and over again and the break finally happens.

• Another word for it is frost wedging.

Abrasion• Wearing away of

rocks by wind or water

Gravity• As rocks fall, they

collide with each other and break apart

Organic Activity• Animals also have an effect

on rocks.

• When roots grow or animals dig holes, rocks split apart

• These tunnels allow water and air to reach< points below ground, and begin the weathering process

Wetting & Drying

• constant swelling and shrinking makes rocks crack

SheetJointing• The removal of large

masses of rock causes rocks to expand

Exfoliation• The peeling of rounded thin layers from the

rocks surface

Granite Exfoliation

Hydrolysis• The chemical reaction of water with other

substances

Plant Acids• Acids formed by the

decay of plants and animals eats away rocks

Oxidation• A freshly-cut apple turns brown,

a bicycle fender becomes rusty and a copper penny suddenly turns green. What do all of these events have in common? They are all examples of a process called oxidation.

• Oxidation is defined as the interaction between oxygen molecules and all the different substances they may contact, from metal to living tissue.(rust)

Carbonation• Carbonic acids dissolves rocks and forms caves

underground • Often, caverns are cut out of the rock, the structures on top

are heavy, and everything on top collapses into the cavern, leaving what is called a sinkhole. This sinkhole can swallow many houses at a time.

Sulfuric Acid• Pollution from

factories dissolves in rainwater and eats away at rocks