Weathering and Erosion Exercise
Name: ________
Date: ______
Sovio – pp. 35-39
Weathering
1. What is the difference between weathering and erosion (list the agents of erosion)? (p. 36)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the key difference between physical and chemical weathering? (p. 36-37)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Define and provide examples of the four main types of physical weathering and draw a diagram of each below.
Frost Shatter:
________________________________________
________________________________________
Plant Roots:
________________________________________
________________________________________
Thermal Expansion:
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Exfoliation:
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
“Thinking Outside the Box”
3) In which type of climate would exfoliation or spheroidal weathering be most effective? Explain.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4) Think of two ways in which freeze thaw or frost action can be a nuisance for the residents of British Columbia?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Define and provide examples of the three main types of chemical weathering and draw a diagram of each below.
Solution:___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hydrolysis:_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Oxidation:_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mass Wasting (pp. 36-37)
1. What is mass wasting? What affects the rates of mass wasting? (website Mleziva-follow links to Weathering and Erosion and Groundwater) or type
in the link below http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/3006/unit4/U04L01.htm )
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Briefly describe the main causes of mass wasting. Explain why vegetation is important in stabilizing slopes.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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3. Give three key points and draw a diagram each type of mass wasting in the chart below
Use Sovio, but you can also find images for each at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/3006/unit4/U04L01.htm (bottom of page), and you can
find images in the Review Package I have provided you with.
Type of Mass Wasting
Key Points
Scree / Talus
Key Points:
Diagram:
Soil creep
Key Points:
Diagram:
Landslide
Key Points:
Diagram:
Mud and Debris Flows
Key Points:
Diagram:
Slump
Key Points:
Diagram:
Rockfalls and Avalanches
Key Points:
Diagram:
Solifluction (Gradation Handout)
Key Points:
Diagram:
Thinking “Outside the Box”
Looking at the image of the talus / scree to the right, what type of physical weathering played a
crucial role in the development of this landform? ____________________________
4. Briefly describe the 4 methods used to mitigate the impacts of mass wasting.
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________
“Thinking outside the Box”- Draw a visual diagram of each of the above to help you memorize each.
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