Skip to content
Vinony
English
EnglishBahasa IndonesiaDeutschEspañolFrançaisItalianoNederlandsPolskiPortuguêsSvenskaTiếng ViệtTürkçeРусскийالعربيةفارسیहिन्दी한국어中文日本語
weathering

File:KharazaArch.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ179177· pop 67· linked from 1,213 articles

weathering

Sign in to save

thumb|upright=1.35|A natural arch produced by erosion of differentially weathered rock in Jebel Kharaz ([[Jordan)]]

AI overview

Weathering is the process by which rocks break down and wear away over time due to exposure to natural forces like wind, water, and temperature changes. It matters because it shapes landscapes, creates features like natural arches, and contributes to the formation of soil that supports life.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Subclass of
destruction
Image
KharazaArch.jpg
Show 9 more facts
applies to part
calcium carbonate
influenced by
ocean acidification
destroyed
rock
Commons gallery
Weathering
described by source
Granat Encyclopedic Dictionary
Commons category
Weathering
topic's main category
Category:Weathering
has effect
limestone
on focus list of Wikimedia project
Wikipedia:Vital articles/Level/4
Sources (5)

via Wikidata · CC0

~27 min read

Encyclopedic overview

19 sections
Contents
  • Physical
  • Frost
  • Thermal stress
  • Pressure release
  • Salt-crystal growth {{anchor|Salt weathering}}
  • Biomechanical relationship
  • Chemical
  • Dissolution
  • Hydrolysis and carbonation
  • Oxidation
  • Hydration
  • Biological
  • Ocean floor
  • Buildings
  • Soil
  • Wood, paint and plastic
  • Gallery
  • See also
  • References

thumb|upright=1.35|A natural arch produced by erosion of differentially weathered rock in Jebel Kharaz ([[Jordan)]]

Weathering is the deterioration of rocks, soils and minerals (as well as wood and artificial materials) through contact with water, atmospheric gases, sunlight, and biological organisms. It occurs in situ (on-site, with little or no movement), and so is distinct from erosion, which involves the transport of rocks and minerals by agents such as water, ice, snow, wind, waves and gravity.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “weathering” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (38)

Available in 66 languages

Show 47 more

via Wikidata sitelinks · CC0