Looking Back How does acid rain weather rocks

Looking Back…. • How does acid rain weather rocks? • What are some of the other effects of acid rain on the environment?

Rates of Weathering Brainstorm time…. . What factors might effect the rate at which rock weathers?

Major Factors Affecting Weathering

Factor: Rock Composition Differential Weathering: • Softer, less weather-resistant rock wears away faster • Harder, more resistant rock left behind Rocks weather at different rates due to chemical composition • quartz resistant to weathering • limestone & other sedimentary rocks containing calcite weather most rapidly due to carbonization • shales and sandstones are not firmly cemented together and break up easily Cave carving sandstone (video).

Climate • Precipitation & temperature of an area are both part of climate. • Chemical weathering is most rapid in hot, wet climates. • Slowest weathering: cold, dry climates

Exposure • Surface Area – the part of a rock that is exposed to air, water and other agents of weathering • Most weathering occurs on exposed surfaces of rocks and minerals • Surface area increases as rock breaks into smaller pieces • > Surface area = more exposure & greater rate of weathering • Mechanical weathering makes chemical weathering faster by breaking rock into smaller pieces and exposing more surface area • Exposed rock on a slope is most likely to weather quickly.

Factors…. Rainfall, temperature, organic activity plus…. • Topography & Elevation – Gravity • Land – slope affects water movement – pulled downhill by gravity • Weathered rock fragments on steep slopes are pulled downhill by gravity and washed out by rain. • Human Activity • Mining, constructions, anything that clears surface • Plant & Animal Activity • Digging, biological wastes

Review… What type of climate will have least amount of weathering? A. Hot and wet B. Cold and wet C. Hot and dry D. Cold and dry