Weathering and Erosion
Understanding how landscapes are broken down and reshaped
Weathering = in-situ breakdown of rock. Erosion = transport of weathered material. Together they shape the Earth's surface.
1. Weathering
in-situPhysical
Mechanical breakdown, no chemical change.
Chemical
Chemical reactions alter rock composition.
Biological
Living organisms cause breakdown.
2. Erosion
transportWater
rivers, rainfall
Wind
sandblasting
Ice
glaciers
Gravity
landslides, rockfalls
3. Weathering vs Erosion
4. Resulting Landforms
Tors
Rounded boulder piles shaped by weathering.
Scree Slopes
Broken rock at cliff base from erosion.
Study Tip
Exam tip: do not confuse weathering with erosion. Weathering breaks rock down where it is, while erosion removes and transports the material.
Practice & Assess
Six interactive games - all reset buttons work
Quiz 1 - Weathering
Frost shattering is which type
Quiz 2 - True/False
"Weathering involves transport of material."
Match - Erosion Agents
Fill - Chemical
Fill - Physical
Order - Weathering Types
Click to rearrange (any order)
Key Terms
Key Recap
The key distinction is simple: weathering is breakdown and erosion is movement. Learners should know the main types of weathering, the agents of erosion, and the landforms these processes create over time.
How to Answer Weathering and Erosion Questions
Start by deciding whether the question is asking about breakdown, movement, or both. Weathering happens in place: rock is cracked, dissolved, weakened, or broken down without being carried away. Erosion needs transport, so look for words such as river, wind, waves, ice, gravity, runoff, or material being removed from one place and deposited somewhere else.
In paragraph questions, name the process first and then explain the cause. For example, frost shattering happens when water enters cracks, freezes, expands, and forces the rock apart. Carbonation happens when weak carbonic acid in rainwater reacts with limestone and slowly dissolves it. A good answer does not only name the process; it also describes the steps in the correct order.
When revising this page, make a two-column table with weathering on one side and erosion on the other. Add a South African example where possible, such as slope material moving after heavy rain, river erosion in valleys, or chemical weathering affecting limestone areas. This helps you connect the definitions to real landscapes instead of memorising the words only.
If a question includes a photograph, look for evidence before choosing the process. Cracks, rounded boulders, loose rock at a slope base, muddy river water, or exposed roots can all be clues. Mentioning the visible clue makes your answer stronger.
Also pay attention to climate. Frost action is more likely where temperatures move above and below freezing, while chemical weathering is usually stronger in warm, wet conditions. Linking process to climate can improve longer Geography explanations.
When you give an example, include both the agent and the result: water may transport sediment, wind may remove fine particles, and gravity may move loosened material downslope.
