Exam 10: Weathering, Soil, and Erosion

Acidic and basic solutions have greater abilities to dissolve rocks and minerals than does pure water.

Frost wedging is an example of __________ weathering.

A defense against mass-wasting damage on a hillside is to:

Oxidation in rocks occurs when iron in minerals reacts with oxygen.

The least soluble major mineral in granite is:

Sand can maintain an angle of repose up to 45°.

As feldspar weathers to clay, water reacts with the feldspar in a process called:

__________ is a layer of loose rock fragments overlying bedrock.

Weathering is the decomposition and disintegration of rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface by:

Mechanical weathering occurs when air and water react with rock to alter its chemical composition and mineral content.

Rust is an example of __________.

__________ __________ reduces solid rock to small fragments but does not alter the chemical composition of rocks and minerals.

A __________ occurs when a block of material slides downhill as a consolidated unit over a gently curved fracture.

The soil layer in which you would find the most organic material is the __________ horizon.

Decomposition and disintegration of rocks and minerals at the surface by mechanical and chemical processes is __________.

Granite commonly fractures by __________.

Soil is usually only a __________ thick or less in most parts of the world.

The type of mass wasting known as mudflow occurs when:

A mixture of sand, clay, silt, and generous amounts of organic matter is called __________.

In the process of hydrolysis: