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Weathering
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<p>Weathering is the deterioration of <a href="/facts/Rock_(geology)/FXCJkmop">rocks</a>, <a href="/facts/Soil/5Ddpr3QM">soils</a> and <a href="/facts/Mineral/LkUFbNmv">minerals</a> (as well as <a href="/facts/Wood/z13NpHPl">wood</a> and artificial materials) through contact with water, <a href="/facts/Atmospheric_gases/FV97Am25">atmospheric gases</a>, <a href="/facts/Sunlight/WPkJRC7s">sunlight</a>, and biological organisms. It occurs <i><a href="/facts/In_situ/YolKlaCC">in situ</a></i> (on-site, with little or no movement), and so is distinct from <a href="/facts/Erosion/gaGJXy0W">erosion</a>, which involves the transport of rocks and minerals by agents such as <a href="/facts/Water/0lkXnJPK">water</a>, <a href="/facts/Ice/BGvkKFjD">ice</a>, <a href="/facts/Snow/HEFKcgIB">snow</a>, <a href="/facts/Wind/Nt0QIu5B">wind</a>, <a href="/facts/Wind_wave/7IsEqwJp">waves</a> and <a href="/facts/Gravity/bqAN7DdQ">gravity</a>. </p><p>Weathering processes are either physical or chemical. The former involves the breakdown of rocks and soils through such mechanical effects as heat, water, ice and wind. The latter covers reactions to water, atmospheric gases and biologically produced chemicals with rocks and soils. Water is the principal agent behind both kinds, though atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide and the activities of biological organisms are also important. Biological chemical weathering is also called biological weathering. </p><p>The materials left after the rock breaks down combine with organic material to create <a href="/facts/Soil/5Ddpr3QM">soil</a>. Many of Earth's <a href="/facts/Landform/eI0tkDYB">landforms</a> and landscapes are the result of weathering, erosion and redeposition. Weathering is a crucial part of the <a href="/facts/Rock_cycle/rmEeE0u1">rock cycle</a>; <a href="/facts/Sedimentary_rock/HQDCjrco">sedimentary rock</a>, the product of weathered rock, covers 66% of the <a href="/facts/Earth%27s_continents/Pysd9Sw8">Earth's continents</a> and much of the <a href="/facts/Ocean_floor/VvxuEWJu">ocean floor</a>. </p>