Weathering
Deterioration of rocks, soils and minerals as well as wood and artificial materials through contact with water, atmospheric gases, and biological organisms.
- Weathering500 related topics
Sedimentary rock
Sedimentary rocks are types of rock that are formed by the accumulation or deposition of mineral or organic particles at Earth's surface, followed by cementation.
The geological detritus originated from weathering and erosion of existing rocks, or from the solidification of molten lava blobs erupted by volcanoes.
Desert
Barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life.
Deserts are formed by weathering processes as large variations in temperature between day and night put strains on the rocks, which consequently break in pieces.
Atmosphere of Earth
Layer of gases retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere.
The atmosphere changed significantly over time, affected by many factors such as volcanism, life, and weathering.
Spall
Spall are fragments of a material that are broken off a larger solid body.
It can be produced by a variety of mechanisms, including as a result of projectile impact, corrosion, weathering, cavitation, or excessive rolling pressure (as in a ball bearing).
In situ
Latin phrase that translates literally to "on site" or "in position."
For example, in situ is used in relation to the distinction between weathering and erosion, the difference being that erosion requires a transport medium (such as wind, ice, or water), whereas weathering occurs in situ.
Acid rain
Rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions .
In terms of human infrastructure, acid rain also causes paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and statues as well as having impacts on human health.
Clay mineral
Clay minerals are hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, sometimes with variable amounts of iron, magnesium, alkali metals, alkaline earths, and other cations found on or near some planetary surfaces.
Clay minerals are common weathering products (including weathering of feldspar) and low-temperature hydrothermal alteration products.
Erosion
Action of surface processes that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location where it is deposited.
Erosion is distinct from weathering which involves no movement.
Rock (geology)
Any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter.
Sedimentary rocks are formed by diagenesis and lithification of sediments, which in turn are formed by the weathering, transport, and deposition of existing rocks.
Soil
Mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life.
It continually undergoes development by way of numerous physical, chemical and biological processes, which include weathering with associated erosion.