Question

Doing a geology project and I have picked 2 locations. I need examples of bothe phisical and chemical wethering that happens at the locations Mt Everest and Death Valley. I am told Frost Wedging occurs at Everest and Root Wedging occurs at Death Valley and theres lots of chemical weathering at both locations. I need specfic examples of these things at each location from observations I would see if I were at each location

Examples of Frost Wedging at Mt Evererest and Root Wedging at Death Valley/ Phisical Weathering at Death Valley

Examples of Chemical Weathering at Mt Everest and and Death Valley Oxidation/ dissoulution/ hydrolisis

Answer 1

Physical Weathering : This form of weathering leads to break down of rocks in to smaller pieces without affecting the chemical composition of rocks.

In Mt Everest the form of physical weathering that is most prevalent is the Freeze-thaw weathering where due to very low temperatures usually below freezing point, the water that enters the rock freezes in the crack and when this process gets repeated over time the rocks break apart.

In the Death Valley which is deserted area the form of weathering that is mostly seen is through temperature changes in day and night time which causes expansion and contraction of rocks where the rocks are found to break away in layers giving rise to dome shaped structure.

Chemical Weathering : Chemical Weathering takes place through change in the chemical composition of the rocks by different chemical reactions.

Death Valley : Oxidation is the type of chemical weathering that was found in Death Valley.In this process the rocks containing iron form iron oxides which can be identified through change of color.

The type of weathering that is found in Mt Everest is predominantly Mechanical Weathering.