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Process

Weathering

Geology

The deterioration of rocks, soils and minerals in place through contact with water, atmospheric gases, sunlight and biological organisms. It breaks material down where it stands; erosion is the separate process that then carries the loosened material away. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Timescale
Slow, in place, years to millennia 1
Driving Force
Rock, soil and minerals break down in place through contact with water, atmospheric gases, sunlight and biological organisms. 1
Resulting Feature
The broken-down material combines with organic matter to form soil. 1
Significance
Weathering is a crucial part of the rock cycle: the sedimentary rock it eventually produces covers about two-thirds of Earth's continents. 1
Driving Force
Driving Force (category)
Hydrological / Water 1
Driving Force (category)
Biological 1
Timescale
Timescale (category)
Years to Decades 1
Timescale (category)
Centuries to Millennia 1
Weathering
Filter Results1 entry
Connections

Associated With

Karstification, Processes

Karstification is a specific, carbonate-focused expression of chemical weathering.

Causes

Wikidata P31 (Q854550) mapped to formative process Weathering via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Awa Sand Pillars

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Weathering via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Baraboo Range

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Weathering via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Bowerman's Nose
Source Cave (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Weathering via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cheesewring

Wikidata P31 (Q4850014) mapped to formative process Weathering via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Chiremba Balancing Rocks
Source Cliff (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 (Q854550) mapped to formative process Weathering via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Drumheller Hoodoos
Source Etchplain (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Weathering via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Haytor
Source Honeycomb weathering (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 (Q130990864) mapped to formative process Weathering via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Katskhi Pillar

Wikidata P31 (Q4850014) mapped to formative process Weathering via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Krishna's Butterball

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Weathering via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Lembert Dome
Source Nubbin (landform) (Wikipedia)
Source Panhole (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 (Q631305) mapped to formative process Weathering via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Princess of Hope

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to formative process Weathering via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sentinel Dome

In Discipline

Geology, Disciplines
Source Plate Tectonics (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Weathering (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Introduction (agents)
    Weathering is the deterioration of rocks, soils and minerals...through contact with water, atmospheric gases, sunlight, and biological organisms.
  • Soil
    The materials left after the rock breaks down combine with organic material to create soil.
  • Introduction (rock cycle role)
    Weathering is a crucial part of the rock cycle; sedimentary rock, the product of weathered rock, covers 66% of the Earth's continents and much of the ocean floor.
  • Introduction, opening sentence
    Weathering is the deterioration of rocks, soils and minerals (as well as wood and artificial materials) through contact with water, atmospheric gases, sunlight, and biological organisms.
View the Source
Panhole (Wikipedia)
Causes: Panhole, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Panhole, Lead paragraph
A panhole or weathering pit is a depression or basin eroded into flat or gently sloping cohesive rock
View the Source
Honeycomb weathering (Wikipedia)
Causes: Honeycomb Weathering, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Honeycomb Weathering, Lead paragraph
Honeycomb weathering, also known as honeycombs, honeycombed sandstone, is a form of cavernous weathering that consists of regular, tightly adjoining, and commonly patterned cavities that are developed in weathered bedrock; are less than 2 cm (0.79 in) in size; and resemble a honeycombed structure
View the Source
Etchplain (Wikipedia)
Causes: Etchplain, Lead paragraph
Quote, Causes: Etchplain, Lead paragraph
An etchplain is a plain where the bedrock has been subject to considerable "etching" or subsurface weathering
View the Source
Cliff (Wikipedia)
Causes: Cliff, Lead section (caused-by Weathering)
Quote, Causes: Cliff, Lead section (caused-by Weathering)
Cliffs are formed by the processes of weathering and erosion, with the effect of gravity.
View the Source
Cave (Wikipedia)
Causes: Cave, Lead section (caused-by Weathering)
Quote, Causes: Cave, Lead section (caused-by Weathering)
Caves often form by the weathering of rock and can extend deep underground.
View the Source
Nubbin (landform) (Wikipedia)
Causes: Nubbin (landform), Lead section (caused-by Weathering)
Quote, Causes: Nubbin (landform), Lead section (caused-by Weathering)
The blocks derive from disintegrated and weathered bedrock layers.
View the Source
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