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27 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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chemical weathering |
the processes by which the internal structure of a mineral is altered by the removal and/or addition of elements |
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external process |
process such as weathering, mass wasting or erosion that is powered by the sun and contributes to the transformation of solid rock into sediment |
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hydrolysis |
a chemical weathering process in which minerals are altered by chemically reacting with water and acids |
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oxidation |
the removal of one or more electrons from an atom or ion. so named because elements commonly combine with oxygen |
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sheeting |
a mechanical weathering process that is characterized by the splitting off of slablike sheets of rock |
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spheroidal weathering |
any weathering process that tends to produce a spherical shape from an initially blocky shape |
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mechanical weathering |
the physical disintigration of rock, resulting in smaller fragments |
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dissolution |
a common form of chemical weathering, it is the process of dissolving into a homogenous solution as when an acidid solution dissolves limestone |
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frost wedging |
the mechanical breakup of rock caused by the expansion of freezing water in cracks and crevices |
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internal process |
process such as mountain building or volcanism that derives its energy from earth's interior and elevates earth's surface |
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eluviation |
the washing out of fine soil components from the A horizon by downward-percolating water |
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soil |
combination of mineral and organic matter, water and air; the portion of regolith that supports plant growth |
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talus |
accumulation of rock debris at the base of a cliff |
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erosion |
the incorporation and transportation of material by a mobile agent, such as water, wind or ice |
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horizon |
a layer in a soil profile |
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leaching |
the depletion of soluble materials from the upper soil by downward-percolating water |
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parent material |
the material on which soil develops |
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soil profile |
a vertical section through a soil showing its succession of horizons and the underlying parent material |
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weathering |
the disintigration and decomposition of rock at or near the surface of earth |
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residual soil |
soil developed directly from the weathering of the bedrock below |
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exfoliation dome |
a large dome shaped structure usually composed of granite that is formed by sheeting |
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humus |
organic matter in soil that is produced by the decomposition of plants and animals |
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mass wasting |
the downslope movement of rock, regolith, and soil under the direct influence of gravity |
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regolith |
the layer of rock and mineral fragments that nearly everywhere covers earth's land surface |
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soil taxonomy |
a soil classification system that consists of six hierarchical categories, based on observable soil characteristics. the system recognizes 12 soil orders |
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laterite |
a red, highly leached soil type found in the tropics that is rich in oxides of iron and aluminum |
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transported soil |
soil that forms on unconsolidated deposits |
