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Geomorphic Processes - Coggle Diagram
Geomorphic Processes
Weathering: the breakdown of material in the place they were found (without being transported) by mechanical (physical), chemical and biological processes.
Mechanical Weathering
Rain: water washes away loose material and also enters cracks in the rocks. If it soaks into softer rocks such as sandstone it adds weight to the river banks, increasing the risk of collapse.
Frost: when water gets into cracks in rocks and freezes, it expands in volume. This puts pressure on the rock and results in the break-up of rocks on river banks.
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Chemical Weathering
- Rainwater reacts chemically with certain minerals which weaken them.
- Minerals are also weakened when they are exposed to the air in a process called 'oxidation'
- Some minerals are affected by water in a process called hydrolysis. This involves acidic rainfall reacting with minerals to produce material which is soluble and easily washed away.
- Rocks such as chalk and limestone are affected by solution, as calcium carbonate is broken down to soluble calcium bicarbonate.
Biological Weathering
Rocks and land can be broken down by the actions of living organisms such as plants and animals. E.g. rabbits burring into river banks.
Mass Movement
The sudden movement of material down a slope. This can be because of heavy rain soaking into permeable rocks which can add extra weight to them.
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Erosion
Abrasion - (also called corrasion) - when sediment is thrown against a surface by water and rubs the material to smooth the land form
Hydraulic action - where water forces its way into cracks, which creates weakness in rocks, splitting them apart
Attrition - where pebbles hit each other or landforms, making rocks break and get smaller and rounder
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Transport
Traction - the movement of material along the coast by waves , or along a river bed by the river
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Deposition - where the water loses energy and is the laying down of materials that have been transported, and can create new landforms such as beaches.