Geology Terms: Weathering, Erosion, Soil Formation, and Sedimentary Rocks, Quizzes of Geology

Download Geology Terms: Weathering, Erosion, Soil Formation, and Sedimentary Rocks and more Quizzes Geology in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Weathering DEFINITION 1 The physical breakdown and chemical alteration of rocks and minerals at or near Earth's surface. TERM 2 Erosion DEFINITION 2 The removal of weathered material from parent rock.Can be accomplished by wind, glaciers, waves, and marine current. TERM 3 Mechanical Weathering DEFINITION 3 Takes place when physical forces break down Earth materials into smaller pieces. TERM 4 Frost Action (Frost Wedging) DEFINITION 4 A type of mechanical weathering.Involves repeated freezing and thawing of water in cracks.Causes expansion of these cracks causing blocks of material to be pried loose. TERM 5 Talus DEFINITION 5 Debris that is formed from frost action (wedging). TERM 6 Pressure Release DEFINITION 6 Mechanical weathering process evident in rocks that formed as deeply buried intrusive igneous bodies such as batholiths. TERM 7 Igneous Rock DEFINITION 7 Form fromcrystallizationof magma that has moved toward the surface (can be at or below surface).Can be changed by hear and pressure into metamorphic rocks. TERM 8 Metamorphic Rock DEFINITION 8 Can be turned into sedimentary rocks through weathering and erosion. TERM 9 Sedimentary Rock DEFINITION 9 Formed from sediment that is transported and deposited from metamorphic rock by compaction or cementation. TERM 10 Sheet Joints DEFINITION 10 Fractures that form due to the pressure released when overlying rock is eroded. TERM 21 Rate of Chemical Weathering DEFINITION 21 Increased with more surface area of rock material.Mechanical weathering increases this surface area by breaking rocks into smaller particles which exposes more of the rock therefore increasing chemical weathering. TERM 22 Climate DEFINITION 22 Chemical processes proceed more rapidly at high temperatures and in the presence of liquids.Therefore there is more chemical weathering in the tropics than in arid or arctic regions.Vegetaion and animal life are much more abundant in the tropics. TERM 23 Parent Material DEFINITION 23 Some rocks are moreresistant than others to chemical processes.Metallicsilicatesthat were formed by less heat and pressure are more stable than the ones produced under high heat pressure environments.The non-metallic also adhere to this pattern. TERM 24 Spheroidal Weathering DEFINITION 24 When a stone (rectangular) weathers into a more spherical shape because this is the most stable shape it can assume.The corners and edges of rocks are the first to break and be shaped. TERM 25 Soil DEFINITION 25 Can be looked at in a vertical cross section and be seen to have distinct layers.These layers are also known as soil horizons.These horizons differ in texture, structure, composition, and color. The boundaries between these layers are gradual and not sharp. TERM 26 Horizon O DEFINITION 26 Only a few centimeters thick and consists of organic matter. TERM 27 Horizon A DEFINITION 27 Also called topsoil.Contains more organic matter thanhorizonsB and C which are below.There is intense biological activity in this horizon due to plant roots, bacteria, fungi, and animals.Water percolating down through horizon A dissolves soluble minerals and carries them down into the lower horizons B and C by a process called leaching.Therefore, this horizon is called the zone of leaching. TERM 28 Horizon B DEFINITION 28 SubsoilContains fewer organisms.Knows as the zone of accumulation because of soluble minerals leached from horizon A accumulate in horizon B. TERM 29 Horizon C DEFINITION 29 The lowest soil level.Consists of partially altered parent material that grades into unaltered parent material and very little organic matter. TERM 30 Factors that Influence Soil Formation DEFINITION 30 All soils form from chemical and mechanical weathering but soils differ in color, texture, thickness and fertility:Climate: the single most important factor influencing soil type and depth.Parent MaterialType of OrganismsLay of land- Relief/slopeTime: more time more weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition, etc TERM 31 Pedalfers DEFINITION 31 Found in humid regions such as eastern US and much of Canada.The name is derived from the Greek word "pedon" meaning "soil" and from the chemical symbols for aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe).Due to soil being formed where there is abundant moisture most soluble minerals have been leached out of Horizon A. TERM 32 Pedocals DEFINITION 32 Found in arid and semiarid western US. Soils contain less organic matter so the soil is lighter in color and contains more unstable minerals due to less chemical weathering. TERM 33 Laterite DEFINITION 33 Soil formed in the tropics where chemical weathering is intense and leaching ofsolubleminerals is complete.These soils are red in color and extend to depths of tens of meters. TERM 34 Soil Degradation DEFINITION 34 Any situation where soil loss exceeds soil formation is alarming. TERM 35 Soil Erosion DEFINITION 35 Wind and running water.