Weathering occurs in place. Erosion refers to processes that transport weathered material and involved the activities of running water, wind, ice, etc. Mass wasting refers to the movement of rock material downhill via gravity. A. Two Categories of Weathering 1. B. Physical Weathering Agents 1.
Fractures develop parallel to earth s surface.
Over time, this can break up rock material. Biological Disintegration - action of tree roots, burrowing of worms, etc. Charles Darwin was first to study in detail the significant activity of worms in breaking down rock material. Frost Weathering - same process that creates Pittsburgh s potholes. C. Purpose of Physical Weathering - to make little ones out of big ones .