Weathering
Weathering is the natural process that breaks down rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface. This can occur through physical means, such as freezing and thawing, which cracks rocks apart, or through chemical processes, where reactions with water and gases alter the minerals. Biological weathering also plays a role, as plants and animals can contribute to the breakdown of rocks. The result of weathering creates soil and reshapes landscapes over time, making it a crucial part of the Earth’s natural cycles and affecting ecosystems and human activities.
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Weathering is the natural process that breaks down rocks and minerals at or near the Earth's surface. It occurs through physical means, like wind and water gradually wearing away rock, or chemical means, where reactions change the minerals, often involving water and acids. Over time, weathering creates soil and shapes landscapes by removing material from mountains and filling valleys. Unlike erosion, which involves the movement of the weathered material, weathering is primarily about the breakdown and alteration of rock in place. This process is crucial for the formation of ecosystems and the cycling of nutrients on Earth.