Weathering and Erosion
Weathering causes rocks to disintegrate through physical breaking or chemical dissolution. Weathered rock material is then subject to erosion – the process of separating the weathered material from its source. Words that are often used to describe the process of erosion include removal, grinding, dissolution, and falling. Weathering and erosion are processes that we can see active in our everyday life. These processes are also important in shaping what the land looks like by cutting canyons, exposing cliffs, and creating large piles of fallen debris.
Today we are heading out on a virtual field trip to McCormick’s Creek State Park, located ~ 15 miles northwest of campus. In your tour, you will head down into a canyon carved by weathering and erosion.
Remember to watch to the very end to receive credit.
Now Explore Upstream
Look around the area upstream at McCormick’s Creek State Park and take some time to do the following:
- Notice that different weathering processes are actively carving out the canyon today.
- Make a list of potential physical and chemical weathering that is occurring at McCormick’s Creek
- Notice that different rock types erode differently (some more easily than others)