Exogenous Process
Which takes place above the Earth’s surface
Types of Exogenous Process
1. Weathering – this refers to the breaking up of solid rocks into fragments. It is also the
process that results in the chemical decay of solid rocks in place or near the surface of the
Earth.
Two kinds of Weathering
1. Physical or Mechanical Weathering – refers to the disintegration or breaking down
of solid rocks into smaller fragments.
Example of Physical/Mechanical Weathering
1. Frost Wedging
2. Exfoliation
3. Bio-weathering
2. Chemical Weathering - is the breaking down of rocks and minerals with a change
in their chemical composition.
- Is also the result of chemical reactions bet. The rock mineral and
the moisture, rain water, sea water and organic acid produced by
plants and animals.
Example of Chemical Weathering
1. Acid Rain
2. Hydrolysis
3. Oxidation
4. Carbonation
2. Erosion – process by which earth surface is worn away by wind, water, or ice and moves
rock debris or soil from one place to another.
Triggers of Erosion
Rainfall
Surface runoff
Flowing rivers
Seawater intrusion
Flooding
Freezing and thawing
Hurricane and wind
Human activities
3. Mass Wasting – weathering that occurs on mountains detaches large slabs of rocks
which moves down slope due to the force of gravity.
Triggers of Mass Wasting
Volcanic eruption
Earthquakes
Heavy rainfall
Human intervention
Types of Mass wasting
Falls
Slides
Slumps
Avalanches
Flows
Falls – occur when materials located in a step slope move downward without contact with
the ground until they reach the foot of the slope.
Slides – move materials as one nearly following a straight line down to the slope.
Slumps – move materials as one nearly following a curved surface.
Avalanche – most rapidly type wherein loose material move incoherently or in a chaotic
fashion.
Flows – movements of materials when they become saturated with water thus moving like a
liquid.
Effect of Mass Wasting
Lose of life/injury
Property damage
Loss of capital assets
Interruption of economic activities