Weathering is the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on earth’s surface. Natural substances like water, ice, acids, salt, plants animals, and changes in temperature are all different targets for weathering. After the material is broken down or dissolved, erosion occurs. Erosion transports the bits and pieces of material away. Every rock on earth’s surface will be weathered in some way because they are not tough enough to resist weathering. The two types of weathering is mechanical weathering and chemical weathering. Most of the time these processes work together to shape the world. Weathering smoothes rough, sharp areas on different rocks and overtime wears away exposed surfaces. Mechanical weathering, or physical weathering,
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A substance has been oxidized when oxygen reacts and caused a chemical reaction. Rust is caused by oxidation. Rocks that contain iron can produce rust through oxidation. Rust is very easy to be broken. If rust is found on a rock, it can be easily chipped or broken off. After chemical weathering has occurred, a complete new substance is created by the original substance.
In Arizona, weathering and erosion created the Grand Canyon, a massive canyon that is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and about one mile wide.
More than 110 natural limestone caves are found at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. The largest limestone cave there is called Big Room. It is about 4,000 feet long, and 625 feet wide. Big Room is about equivalent to six football fields. This natural cave was created by carbonization.
Human activities can speed up the process of weathering. Burning fossil fuels release chemicals that change to acid when combining with sunlight and moisture. This created acid rain which could lead to breaking down of buildings and monuments. In China, the Leshan Giant Buddha at Mount Emei is the world’s largest Buddha statue. It was carved 1,300 years ago and has remained unharmed. However, in recent years, acid rain has affected its color and caused small pieces to chip
A substance has been oxidized when oxygen reacts and caused a chemical reaction. Rust is caused by oxidation. Rocks that contain iron can produce rust through oxidation. Rust is very easy to be broken. If rust is found on a rock, it can be easily chipped or broken off. After chemical weathering has occurred, a complete new substance is created by the original substance.
In Arizona, weathering and erosion created the Grand Canyon, a massive canyon that is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and about one mile wide.
More than 110 natural limestone caves are found at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. The largest limestone cave there is called Big Room. It is about 4,000 feet long, and 625 feet wide. Big Room is about equivalent to six football fields. This natural cave was created by carbonization.
Human activities can speed up the process of weathering. Burning fossil fuels release chemicals that change to acid when combining with sunlight and moisture. This created acid rain which could lead to breaking down of buildings and monuments. In China, the Leshan Giant Buddha at Mount Emei is the world’s largest Buddha statue. It was carved 1,300 years ago and has remained unharmed. However, in recent years, acid rain has affected its color and caused small pieces to chip