Weathering is a spatial process in which the rocks break down by disintegration and decomposition at their own place.
Types of Weathering: The process of weathering takes place in various forms. Considering the various components as the basis.
weathering is classified into the following types:
1. Physical Weathering: Process of disintegration in the rocks by insolation, frost, water and wind is called Physical Weathering. It has the following types:
(a) Block Disintegration: In hot desert regions, cracks occur in the rocks due to extreme daily range of temperature. Over time/these rocks disintegrate into large pieces.
(b) Exfolation: Breaking of rocks in the form of shells when the upper layer of rocks remain heated and the inner layers cool down.
(c) Frost Weathering: In extreme cold regions, the breaking down of rocks due to the freezing and melting of water in the cracks of rocks on regular basis.
(d) Pressure Release: When the removal of upper rocks reduces the pressure on the lower rocks, then the cracks start appearing in the rocks.
2. Chemical Weathering: When the rocks break, dissolve, decay and change into new compounds by the action of water and gas in a chemical process , it is called Chemical Weathering.
It is classified into the following parts:
(a) Oxidation: The atmospheric oxygen dissolves in water to change rock minerals into oxides by which decomposition of the rocks takes place.
(b) Carbonation: The atmospheric carbon – dioxide gas dissolves in water to form carbonic acid by which the lime-rocks dissolve.
(c) Desilication: Process of separation of silica from rocks.
(d) Hydration: Absorption of water in rock minerals is called Hydration. Rocks scatter by the process of absorption of water.
(e) Dissolution: Rainwater dissolves many types of acids and carbonic elements in the rockmaterials and creates new chemical compounds. This reaction is called Dissolution.
3. Biological Weathering: Biological weathering is the weakening and subsequent disintegration of rock by vegetation and living organisms.
It has the following types:
(a) Weathering by vegetation: Roots of trees enter into the rocks and disintegrate them.
(b) Weathering by animals: Disintegration of rocks by earthworm, termite, rats, etc.
(c) Weathering by humans: Weathering taking place due to agricultural, mining and construction activities done by human beings.
