Skip to main content

Define weathering and its controlling factors

Short answer

Weathering is the in-place disintegration and decomposition of rocks. Factors controlling it include climate, rock type and mineral composition, rock structure, topography, vegetation, time, and grain size/porosity.

Define weathering. Describe the factors that affect weathering of rocks.

Weathering is the in-place disintegration (physical) and decomposition (chemical) of rocks at or near the earth's surface by the action of atmospheric agents, water and organisms, without transport of the material.

Factors controlling weathering

  1. Climate: temperature and rainfall. Frost action dominates in cold areas; chemical weathering in hot, humid areas.
  2. Rock type and mineral composition: quartz is very resistant; olivine, feldspar and calcite weather quickly.
  3. Rock structure: joints, bedding and faults let water and air enter.
  4. Topography (relief): steep slopes remove debris and expose fresh rock; gentle slopes keep a thick soil cover.
  5. Vegetation and organisms: roots, bacteria and humic acids speed up weathering, but dense cover also protects the surface.
  6. Time: the longer the exposure, the deeper the weathering.
  7. Grain size and porosity: coarse or porous rocks have more surface for reaction.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

Related questions

All Engineering Geology I chapter 6 questions →