What Types of Rocks Are Formed By Weathering?

by

In this article, you’ll learn about weathering, and some of the well-known specimens created (in part) by weathering.

What Types of Rocks Are Formed By Weathering?

What Does Weathering Mean in Geology?

Weathering is a step in the rock formation process where rocks are broken down by the environment around them.

This can happen due to a number of reasons, like water, wind, or even plants growing and breaking through the rocks.

Over time, the rocks will change shape and eventually crumble into smaller pieces.

Weathering alone doesn’t lead to the formation of rocks.

The weathering creates the building blocks of the stone, but additional steps are needed.

Sedimentary Rocks Created (In Part) By Weathering

Weathering is an important part of the rock cycle.

It is the process that breaks down rocks so that they can be recycled and used again.

Weathering can happen to any type of rock, but it happens most often to sedimentary rocks.

A sedimentary rock is produced by the solidification of sediments, which are small particles that have been deposited by water or wind.

Over time, these sediments will pile up and compact together, forming a rock.

There are three types of sediments:

* Clastic: these are fragments of other rocks that have been broken down by weathering

* Chemical: these rocks are formed when minerals dissolved in water crystalize

* Organic: these rocks are made from the remains of dead plants or animals

In general, clastic sedimentary rocks are the kinds of rocks formed (in part) by weathering.

Examples of Types of Rocks Formed By Weathering

There are a few different types of rocks that can be formed (in part) by weathering.

One of the most common is sandstone. Sandstone is created when larger rocks are broken down by the environment and the sand is left behind. The sand is then compacted together by the weight of the overlying rocks.

Siltstone is created in a similar way to sandstone, but the silt (which is much smaller than sand) is left behind instead. Like sandstone, the silt is then compacted together by the weight of the overlying rocks.

Shale is created when rocks are broken down into clay (which is very small) and then compacted together by the weight of other rocks.

Conglomerate is created when rocks are broken down into small pebbles and then compacted together by the weight of other rocks.

Limestone is created when rocks are broken down into calcium carbonate (which is a mineral) and then compacted together by the weight of other rocks.

Dolostone is very similar to limestone, but it is created when rocks are broken down into magnesium carbonate (which is also a mineral) and then compacted together by the weight of other rocks.

Breccia is created when rocks are broken down into angular pieces and then compacted together by the weight of other rocks.

Tuff is created when volcanic ash (which is very small) is compacted together by the weight of other rocks.

What is Chemical Weathering?

There are two types of weathering processes, physical and chemical. Physical weathering is when the rocks are broken down by external forces like water or wind. Chemical weathering is when the rocks are broken down by a chemical reaction.

One of the most common examples of chemical weathering is when water seeps into rocks and then evaporates, leaving behind minerals. This process is called hydrolysis.

Other examples of chemical weathering include oxidation, which is when oxygen reacts with the minerals in the rock, and carbonation, which is when carbon dioxide reacts with the minerals in the rock.

You can learn more about these common sedimentary rocks here:

What Types of Rocks Are Formed By Weathering