The structural disfiguration of the landmasses is carried out by the agents of weathering and erosion. Mostly notably air, ice and water in their various forms like tidal waves, glacial slides and storms lead to erosion and weathering of different landmasses consecutively altering their structural features over time. This process affects the landmasses and the inhabitant creatures. This process of erosion and weathering constantly alters the rocks and landscape of earth. Depending upon the vulnerability of the outer surface, the extent of weathering affects the pattern of earth’s surface over time. The process of erosion affects the mineral contents of the rock of that particular region.

Weathering and erosion: overview

The process of weathering is responsible for the breakdown of the rocks and the dissolution of the minerals of the earth. Air, water flow, salt, ice, alteration in temperature and even the flora and fauna of the particular region are the agents of weathering and erosion of that particular region.

Followed by the breakdown of the rocks, the minerals are carried away along with the minute bits of the rocks and this process is called erosion. The collaborative process of weathering and erosion leads to the formation of the landscape of the earth.

Agents of weathering and erosion 

There are several agents of weathering and erosion in nature that contribute to alteration of surfaces. 

  • Wind currents -They weather away most of the outer surface of the rocky layer of earth. 
  • Ice – In the low temperate regions, the ice formation that occurs in between the rocks causes the rocks to split apart which leads to weathering away and alteration of the surface
  • Water – It is one of the key contributors of erosion and weathering that causes tectonic changes to various surfaces of earth.
  • Gravity – gravity with a process of abrasion alters the physical pattern of the landmasses.
  • Temperature – The rise and fall in the temperature of a particular region contribute to the erosion and weathering of the land surface.
  • Plants and animals – The plants and animals, with spreading of roots and burrowing, respectively. Causes cracks and separations of land surface further contributing to weathering of the surface.

Types of weathering 

As noted above, weathering is contributed by various factors. The process is influenced by several agents of weathering and erosion which can be subdivided into different categories concerning their contributing natural factors.

  • Mechanical weathering: Mechanical weathering can also be termed physical weathering. The most contributing factor to this kind of weathering is water. In its liquid or solid form, water erodes the surface and transports the work part of the land to other regions. This form of weathering is also affected by wind currents, tides and glacial movements.
  • Chemical weathering: This form of weathering is conducted by the natural processes of hydrolysis and oxidation. Oxidation takes place with the chemical reaction in presence of oxygen that causes rusting of iron and softening of rocks. Hydrolysis occurs with the reaction of rocks with water that causes them to change in appearance and loosen due to different compound mixtures.
  • Biological weathering: This form of weathering is mostly contributed by plants and animals by the expansion of roots and burrowing of lands that loosens the land surface.

Formation of Grand Canyon

The land surface undergoing the constant process of weathering and erosion has led to the formation of the Grand Canyon. These two processes have together carved the landscape of the Grand Canyon. This process has been contributed by a distinct feature of weathering called tectonic upliftment. The canyon has been formed for over 60 million years and the Colorado River is responsible for cutting through the Plateau of Colorado. The plateau was uplifted throughout millions of years. This canyon is 477 miles in length, 29 miles wide and 1.8 km deep, it is also the largest canyon in the US.

Conclusion

Water, ice and air are the agents of weathering and erosion of the rocks and the immediate land surface over years. Mostly the outer layers of the earth which are mostly exposed are vulnerable to these two processes of land formation. Weathering and erosion alter territorial features of particular regions that occur over millions of years. Several chemical reactions are also involved in the due process that alters the features