Weathering and Erosion

Natural erosion can be caused by _______.

c. deforestation

Which is an example of natural erosion?

c. waves washing over rocks on the beach

Which of the following is a result of natural erosion?

d. all of the above

Which of the following is a way that humans speed up the process of erosion?

d. all of the above

Animals do not contribute to natural erosion.

false

Which of the following statements about artificial erosion is true?

c. Artificial erosion causes a loss of fertile soil.

How is chemical weathering different from physical weathering?

c. Physical weathering is mechanical breakdown, while chemical weathering involves the chemical breakdown of substances.

Weathering is _______.

c. a process whereby rocks are broken down by direct contact with the atmosphere

What area would most likely experience the greatest amount of natural erosion?

c. coastline

What type of characteristics would you expect an area that is likely to experience a high amount of erosion to have?

Areas with less vegetation would experience a greater amount of erosion. Vegetation acts as an anchor for soil, keeping it from being blown or washed away as easily. Areas with access to glaciers and water will also experience more erosion than areas without glacier or water access.

Explain how chemical weathering differs from physical weathering.

Chemical weathering occurs when rocks, soil, or minerals are broken down through reactions with chemicals that are in the air or are biologically introduced. These chemicals can occur naturally or be the result of human action. Physical weathering occurs when rocks, soil, or minerals are broken down through mechanical means. Heat, ice, or pressure can result in cracking of rocks.

Explain how artificial erosion is a problem even though erosion occurs naturally.

Even though erosion happens naturally, erosion caused by human action is a concern. Natural erosion happens gradually over long periods of time. The changes to ecosystems that occur through natural erosion are gradual as well, so ecosystems are able to adapt. Artificial erosion, however, occurs 10 to 15 times more rapidly than natural erosion. This makes it difficult for ecosystems to adjust to the changes.

How does deforestation speed up the process of erosion?

Soil is held in place by trees and other plants. Deforestation removes the trees from an area, leaving the soil without that anchor. This causes the soil to be more susceptible to erosion.

How are weathering and erosion similar? How are they different?

Weathering and erosion both occur naturally. Weathering is caused by exposure to heat, ice, and elements in the atmosphere. Erosion is caused by movement of wind and water. Rocks are broken down by a combination of weathering and erosion.

Which of the following statements about weathering is true?

a. Physical and chemical are the two types of weathering.

Chemical weathering is the breakdown of rocks, soils, and minerals through _______.

a. atmospheric or biologically produced chemicals

Why is artificial erosion a concern if erosion can occur naturally?

b. Artificial erosion occurs at a faster rate than natural erosion.

Which of the following statements about erosion is true?

b. Erosion occurs when wind or water moves over sediment, soil, or rocks.

Which of the following is an example of chemical weathering?

b. acid rain falling on sidewalks

The cracking of rock due to heat is an example of _______.

b. physical weathering