weathering
involves the physical breakdown and chemical alteration of rock at our near Earth's surface
mechanical weathering
accomplished by physical forces that break rock into smaller and smaller pieces without changing the rock's mineral compostion
chemical weathering
involves a chemical transformation of rock into one or more new compounds
frost wedging
water works into cracks of rock, the freezing water enlarges the cracks, and angular fragments are eventually produced
sheeting
process that generates these onion-like layers
joints
important rock structures that allow water to penetrate to depth and start the process of weathering long before the rock is exposed
exfoliation dome
when weathering cause slabs to seperate
spheroidal weathering
weathering attacks edges from two sides and corners from threes sides, these areas wear down faster than a single flat surface
humus
the decayed remains of animal plant life (organic matter
parent material
the source of the weathered mineral matter from which soils develop
horizons
the vertical differences, which usually become more pronounced as time passes, divide soil into zones or layers
soil profile
presents an idealized view of a well developed soil profile in which five horizons are identified
Soil Taxonomy
a devised system scientist have created for classifying soils
solum
true soil
soil erosion
natural process; it is part of the constant recycling of earth materials that we call