List the two major types of weathering and tell how they differ. Tell the factors that influence the rate at which weathering occurs. Weathering Weathering is the breakdown of rock to form sediment. Exfoliation at Stone Mountain, Georgia. Photos courtesy of Pamela Gore.
Different minerals expand and contract at different rates causing stresses along mineral boundaries.
Marble tombstones and carvings are particularly susceptible to chemical weathering by dissolution. Iron oxides are produced that are red, orange, or brown in color. Weathered rock is called saprolite Weathered rock fragments are one of the constituents of soil . Quartz grains may be eroded, becoming sediment. The quartz sand will ultimately be transported to the sea where it accumulates to form beaches .