Weathering and Erosion

Which of the following is not a possible cause of erosion?

d. none of the above

Which of the following statements about artificial erosion is true?

c. Artificial erosion causes a loss of fertile soil

Why is natural erosion a beneficial process?

a. it helps create fertile soil

Which of the following is an example of chemical weathering?

b. acid rain falling on the sidewalk

Using off-road vehicles does not contribute to the process of erosion

false

Weathering occurs as a result of direct contact with the atmosphere.

true

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

c. coastline

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

b. physical weathering

Which of the following statements about weathering is true?

a. Physical and Chemical are two types of weathering.

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.

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

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.

Natural erosion can be caused by _____

b. wind

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

Weathering is _______.

a process by which rocks are broken down by direct contact with the atmosphere

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.

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

a. atmospheric or biologically produced chemicals

Ocean ridges form as a result of

b. upwelling of magma from the asthenosphere

How do mountains influence climate?

c. they affect rainfall by creating a rain shadow

Which of the following types of boundaries is most likely to result in a subduction zone?

b. convergent

Which of the following best explains the importance of Earth’s crust to living organisms?

b. the crust provides raw materials necessary for life

Natural erosion can be caused by

b. wind

What is an effect of continental shifting on local environments?

d. all of the above

Chemical and physical weathering both involve direct contact of the atmosphere with rocks, soils, and minerals.

true

Explain how subduction zones are formed.

Subduction zones are formed at convergent boundaries when tectonic plates collide. If one of the plates slides under the other plate, a subduction zone is formed.

Explain how biogeochemcical cycles and the rock cycle are important for life on Earth.

Biogeochemical cycles and the rock cycle allow nutrients to be recycled through the abiotic and biotic zones of Earth. They are responsible for the cycling of oxygen, carbon dioxide, phosphorus and nitrogen between the biosphere and the rest of Earth.

Tsunamis are caused by

c. underwater earthquakes

Earthquakes can

d. all of the above