Weathering

Weathering is the process of decomposition and/or disintegration of rocks in situ, that is, in place. It is not to be confused with erosion, which is the movement of rocks and/or weathering products by water, wind, ice or gravity.

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The breakdown products, after chemical weathering of rock and sediment minerals and the leaching out of the more soluble parts, when combined with decaying organic material, is called soil. The mineral content of the soil is determined by the parent material, thus a soil derived from a single rock type can often be deficient in one or more minerals for good fertility, while a soil weather from a mix of rock types (as in glacial, eolian or alluvial sediments) often makes a richer soil.

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Rock: Rock may refer to:...

In situ: In situ ("in place" in Latin), a term used in:...

Erosion: Erosion is the displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock, and so forth) by the agents of wind, water, ice, movement in response to gravity, or living organisms (in the case of bioerosion). Although the processes may be simultaneous, erosion is to be distinguished from weathering, which is the decompos...