Explore the Process of Weathering and Erosion with Google

Maps
This activity will give you a brief overview of ​mechanical​ and c
​ hemical w
​ eathering, links to 360​o​ views
of different weathering processes through Google Maps, and a spot to record your observations.
Use the links below or visit this website to view all links: h
​ ttps://goo.gl/wfzm7y

Mechanical Weathering​ ​is a natural
process where the rock is broken down into smaller
pieces by physical activity. When rock undergoes
mechanical weathering, its chemical composition –
what it is made of- is unchanged.
Abrasion i​ s perhaps the most common form of
mechanical weathering. When gravity, running water,
or wind causes rocks to collide with each other, they
break down into smaller pieces. Over millions of years,
running water weathered rocks to form the famous
Grand Canyon in Arizona. Wind smashed bits of sand
and sediment into boulders in the Israeli desert,
forming “mushroom rocks.” Glacial abrasion weathers
rock as the glacier grinds across the surface. Waves
breaking against a rocky coast will also cause
weathering.
Ice wedging​ is a type of mechanical weathering that
happens in cold climates. When liquid water enters a
crack in the surface of a rock, it may then freeze.
Freezing water expands, causing the rock to break into
pieces. The formations at Bryce Canyon and Arches
National Parks were formed when water seeped into
cracks, froze, and wedged the rock into smaller pieces.
Wind and water then carried those small bits of rock
away. Carrying the weathered rock away is called
erosion,​ which exposes more surface area to the
forces of weathering.
Plants and animals are also o​ rganic agents​ of
mechanical weathering. When plants grow, their roots
Google Maps Observation: A)Where did the link take you, B)What
Link caused the weathering you saw? C)What type of
weathering? D) Is there any evidence of erosion?
A. The link took to a place called the Bryce Canyon National Park,
Link 1 Utah
B. The canyons were caused by carbonation or abrasion.
C. I think that chemical weathering cause this
D. There were little to a good amount of evidence of erosion on the
canyon.
A. The link took me to a place in Israel
B. The mushroom was caused by Erosion
Link 2 C. Mechanical weathering is what caused the Mushroom to be like
that.
D. Erosion was shown at the bottom of the mushroom since the
bottom was most likely weathered down
A. The place took me Grand Canyon national park in Arizona
B. The Canyons look like they were caused by wind abrasion, Erosion
Link 3 and more.
C. I think mechanical weathering had caused this
D. Erosion was denfinitely shown around the whole canyon
expand. If a plant's roots expand into a crack in the
rock, that rock will eventually be wedged apart.
Chemical Weathering ​is the process by
which rock is broken into much smaller pieces due
to chemical reactions with the rock’s environment.
This breaking down of rock is caused by chemical
reactions that act on different minerals in the rock.
These reactions result in a new substance being
formed.
Oxidation​ is the process by which elements in
rock combine with oxygen. Rock that is rich in
iron, such as magnetite, are oxidized by our air
and water. When these rocks are oxidized, they
turn reddish brown. You may recognize this
process as rust.
When precipitation interacts with limestone, a
process known as ​carbonation​ can take place.
Carbonation occurs when water vapor combines
with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, forming a
weak acid that reacts with and breaks down
limestone. When this happens underground caves,
such as Carlsbad Caverns, are formed. In areas
where carbon dioxide pollution is high, a stronger
acid can form leading to acid rain. A notable effect
of acid rain is the corrosion of statues.
Lichens and mosses grow on essentially bare rock
surfaces and contribute to chemical weathering of
rock. The attachment of these organisms to the
rock surface speeds up the chemical breakdown of
the mineral surface.
A. The link took me to pennant hills in Australia
B. The place looks like water has taken over
Link 4 C. I think that Mechanical weathering had something to do with
this
D. Erosion had no evidence that showed that Erosion had
something to do with this.
A. The link took me to a place in Ireland
B. The place looked like water and wind abrasion had something
Link 5 to do with this
C. I think that Mechanical Weathering had something to do with
this
D. Erosion didn’t look like it had anything to do with this
A. The link took me to a place called the Arches National Park in
Utah
Link 6 B. The place looks like it was caused by sand and wind abrasion,
could be a little of acid rain
C. I think that chemical weathering cause this
D. Erosion has some part of it
A. The link took me to a place in Columbia, Alabama
B. The place looks like it could be caused by carbonation or
Link 7 oxidation
C. I think chemical weathering caused this
D. No evidence of Erosion was shown
A. The link took me to a place in the Carlsbad Caverns National
park, New Mexico
Link 8 B. The place was caused by water, wind abrasion, sand and more
C. I think mostly Mechanical but chemical weathering had caused
this
D. No Erosion was shown
A. The link took me to a place in ​Shizhong, Leshan, Sichuan,
China.
B. The area looks like it could be caused by water, wind and Acid
Link 9
rain
C. I think Mechanical Weathering caused this
D. Some Erosion was shown
 A. Mount Washington
B. Acid rain, Wind
C. Chemical weathering
Link 10
D. Erosion was shown in some parts

A. Portage Glacier
B. Ice wedging
C. Mechanical Weathering
D. No Erosion
Link 11