Effect of Rock Structure and Composition on Weathering

Rock structure includes joints, beding planes, folds, fractures, and faults. Rocks containing these structures will be easily subjected to weathering.

1. Rock composition:

There are certain elements which are included in rock composition. Some rocks will weather quickly and some slowly e.g. acidic rocks weather more quickly than basic ones.

2. Climate:

It includes the meteorological elements effect on rocks such as moisture, temperature, and wind and air pressure. Climate determines whether physical or chemical weathering will be more active and speedy.

3. Topography and vegetation

Topography directly effects weathering by exposing rocks to the temperature or sun and wind. The elevated areas will be affected more and low level areas will be affected less.

4. Vegetation

Surface covered by the vegetation are protected from weathering but bare surfaces are weathered to great extent.

• Thin root plants protects weathering
• Thick root plants accelerates weathering