WEATHERING refers to the process of weakening, breaking up, and disintegration of the rock that forms the surface of the ground and that lie exposed to the weather.
Factors That Influence Weathering
Climate
Different areas with different climatic elements experience different types of weathering e.g. block disintegration is experienced in arid areas while frost action is experienced in temperate regions and mountainous regions of tropics.
Topography
Weathering is faster on steep slopes than on gentle slopes because weathered material is washed away quickly exposing the rock once again to agents while on gentle slopes materials remain in one position
shielding the rock from weathering agents.
Nature of rocks
Dark-colored rocks absorb more heat than light-colored ones hence breaking faster because of excessive expansion and contraction.
A rock with different minerals may disintegrate faster because of the differential expansion and contraction of minerals.
A well-jointed rock will break faster because physical and chemical agents can penetrate faster, e.g. by freezing and thawing.
Fine-textured rocks have a large surface area on which chemical processes can act, e.g. Limestone.
Biological organisms
Bacteria facilitate the rotting of organic matter producing organic acids which react with some minerals causing the rock to break up.
Plant roots and burrowing animals penetrate rocks resulting in cracks providing passage for agents such as water to act on rocks.
People accelerate the rate of weathering by exposing rocks buried deep below by digging, blasting, and drilling.
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