LOCATED IN CENTRAL TEXAS
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Exfoliation – mechanical weathering has caused the rock to “peel” in sheets. This was caused by contracting and expanding during heating and cooling in the temperature
The weathering of sedimentary rock has exposed the granite dome underneath
Other types of mechanical weathering present – plant roots
RAINWATER MIXES WITH CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND SOILS TO FORM CARBONIC ACID (H2CO3), WHICH ACTS TO DISSOLVE AWAY LIMESTONE.
Georgetown-
Inner Space Cavern
A gorge is a ravine with nearly vertical walls. This gorge was cut when heavy rains pushed a flood over Canyon Lake Dam in central Texas in 2002.
One of the windiest regions in the US
Low vegetation, so high wind erosion
Palo Duro Canyon Formed by water
erosion
Physical/Mechanical weathering-the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces (wind, flowing water, ice, gravity, animals/plants, temperature changes)
Physical Weathering
The steep walls here were carved out by moving water
Palo Duro Canyon in the High Plains EcoRegion
Davis Mountains – formed from volcanic activity
Guadalupe Mountains – formed by fossilized coral reef
Big Bend– Water erosion from the Rio Grande River
Big Bend– Ancient swamp, current desert
Big Bend - the warm red and brown colors of igneous rocks show oxidation, oxygen reacting with iron forming rust
Big Bend– limestone cliff eroded by carbonic acid
Water droplets capture carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid
Wave action, a cause of weathering, erosion and deposition, is constant along the Texas Coastline.
Sediments are weathered and eroded along beaches and carried out into the ocean to form sand bars and islands
Galveston Beach
Mustang Island was formed by erosion and deposition
Sand dunes in Padre Island