EXOGENIC

PROCESSES
WEATHERING is the general term applied to the
combined action of all physical and chemical
processes that disintegrate and decompose rocks near
Earths surface through the elements of weather.
Weathering begins as soon as rocks are exposed to
one or more elements of weather on the surface of
Earth. Generally, the disintegration and
decomposition processes act together, but one may
be dominant, depending on the climate. In addition,
the weathered material lies on top of the unweathered
layer of rock.
 PHYSICAL WEATHERING
Physical weathering happens whenever rocks are broken up
without any change in their chemical composition.
Sometimes called mechanical weathering, this type of
weathering takes place in different ways depending on the
factor that acts on the rock. These factor include pressure,
warm temperature, water, and ice.
Examples of physical weathering include block
disintegration, exfoliation, and frost weathering.
Block disintegration is caused by successive
heating and cooling which causes the
expansion and contraction of rocks. In hot
desert regions, the high diurnal range of
temperature of day and night causes
successive expansion and contraction of the
rocks, this repeated expansion and
contraction creates stress along the joints,
eventually breaking down the rock, block by
block.
Exfoliation is the stripping of the
outer layer of rocks due to intense
heating. Since rocks are poor
conductors of heat, the inner layers
remain almost unaffected by heat.
The successive expansion and
contraction of the outer layers of the
rock peels off from the main rock in
the form of concentric shells.
Frost weathering refers to the alternate
freezing and thawing of water inside the
joints of the rocks, causing them to split
into small particles or fragments. This
occurs because the conversion of water
into ice increases the volume of water by
10 percent. This is the most important
physical weathering process in cold
regions.
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
CHEMICAL WEATHERING is the weakening
or disintegration of rocks and the formation of
new compounds or new substances caused by
chemical reactions. Chemical process include
oxidation, hydrolysis, and acid action.
Oxidation is the process in which
oxygen reacts with the rock and
changes its mineral composition. The
greatest impact of this process is
observed on ferrous mineral, which
contain iron. The oxygen in humid air
reacts with iron in the rocks to form
oxides of iron called rust. Rust can
break down rocks completely, given
enough amount of time.
Carbonation is the process involving the
formation of various types of carbonates
in rocks. Some of these carbonates are
soluble in water. For example, when
rainwater containing carbon dioxide
forms carbonic acid, it passes through
permeable limestone rocks. This process
results in the enlargement of rocks and
removal of lime, which holds the
particles together.
Hydration is the result of the
absorption or combination of water
and a particular substance on the
rock, leading to a change in shape.
The addition of water in the rock
increases its volume, which changes
the shape of the grains. Feldspar, for
example, is changed into kaolin
through hydration.
Solution is the process in which
some of the minerals in rocks are
directly dissolved in water. As water
continues to remove substance in
rocks, the rock is deformed, broken
into pieces, and disintegrated. Rock
salt and gypsum are removed
through this process.
BIOTIC WEATHERING
BIOTIC OR BIOLOGICAL
WEATHERING is the weathering
or disintegration of rocks caused by
living organism.
Plants contribute to both mechanical and
chemical weathering. The roots of the
plants penetrate into the joints of the rocks
searching for moisture. As the roots grow
larger and thicker, they exert pressure on
the rocks. The pressure acts as a wedge,
widening and extending the cracks, and
breaking the rock into fragments.
Animals like earthworms, rats, rabbits,
termites and ants breakdown the rocks
through burrowing. These disintegrated
rocks easily be exposed to more intense
process, or be eroded or removed by other
agents. The action of microbes on rocks
changes the chemical composition of
rocks. This makes the rocks more
susceptible to weathering.
Humans play a very important role in the
weathering of rocks. Provisions for agriculture,
construction of houses, and construction of
roads, among others, require large amounts of
rocks to be broken down. Mining minerals also
require breaking, weakening, and loosening of
rocks. The increase of acid rain is mainly due to
human activities. As increase in pollution also
result in an increased amount of weathering
agents in soil, water, and wind.
 MASS WASTING
Mass wasting refers to the downslope movements of rock, regolith,
and soil because of gravity.
Mass wasting is a natural process, which follows weathering, it is
considered a natural hazard. Mass wastings are classified based on
their moisture or water content and speed, or rate of movement. The
saturation of water destroys the cohesion of rock particles, causing
them to become loose. Water also adds weight to a mass, causing
their downslope slide or flow. The speed of the downward
movement of rocks result when air becomes trapped and
compressed beneath the falling mass. This allows the mass to move
as a buoyant, flexible sheet across the surface.
Based on the type of motion,
mass wasting could be generally
classified as a fall, a slide, or a
flow. The free-fall movement of
detached individual pieces or
rocks is called fall. This is
common on slopes that are too
steep for loose material to remain
on the surface.
 SOIL EROSION
The product of weathering is the
disintegration of rocks into particles of
soil. The removal of soil at a greater
rate than its replacement by natural
agencies is known as soil erosion.
Wind erosion happens when
winds carry vast quantity of fine
soil particles and sand away
from a region, spreading it over
adjoining cultivated land and
destroying their fertility. It takes
place in and around all desert
regions of the world.
Sheet erosion is the removal of thin
layer of soil because of surface
runoff and rain. This type of erosion
is common along the riverbeds and
areas affected by floods. If left
unattended, the soil could be
completely exhausted or devoid of
nutrients due to removal of topsoil,
rendering it completely unusable for
agriculture.
Rill erosion is the removal of
soil by the action of
concentrated running water.
This process creates
numerous centimeter-deep
tiny channels called rills,
which carry water during
storms.
Gully erosion is the removal
of soil in water channels or
drainage lines. The gullies
gradually multiply and
spread over wide area. The
land being dissected is
called badlands or ravines.