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Factors affecting weathering
FACTORS AFFECTING WEATHERING
 1. Climate
Temperature and rainfall are two major weather element, in certain climatic region receive a certain type of weathering e.g in equatorial region with high temperature experience fact and deep weathering.
Chemical weathering is most common in area of high rainfall while physical weathering is common in low rainfall.
2. Relief
This refers to the nature of the land surface, chemical weathering is common in mountain region where the wind ward side receive high ranfall.
In the steep slope the weathering takes place at high speed because it is the centre of denudation and it experienced with physical weathering due to the high surface run of all the weathered material is falling downward lead to its disintegration.
In gentle slope the weathering is in low speed because it is the place of deposition and it is affected by chemical weathering due to down ward movement of water.
3. Nature of rock
Colored rock has effect on weathering, the rock which contain black mineral absorbs temperature so that the physical weathering takes place. E.g. olivines are dark.
The rocks with minerals like granite (composed of quarts, feldspar) resist weathering than the rock contains grabbo (composed of augite and lime soda) are affected faster by chemical weathering.
Weakness of the rock which has the line of weakness such as crack or joint affected much by weathering.
4. Time
When the process of weathering takes place in a day or night but after a very long time the weathering will be more but if it is shorter the weathering will be less.
5. Living organism (Flora/Fauna)
At the area which have dense vegetation the plants add nitric acid within its roots so when it penetrates within the rock the acid reacts with rock affecting weathering compared to the place with low vegetation.
Animal affect weathering through living or dying.
EFFECT OF WEATHERING
1. Soil formation
Since weathering breaks the rocks into small particles which appear being mixed with organic matter leads to development of soil profile.
2. Modifying the landform.
Other features formed through weathering like exfoliation domes, clints, grikes etc.
3. Provision of building materials to man.
The scree and blocks can be used in construction of building the house, bridge and dams.
4. Influence the rate of mass – wasting
Where the rocks have been disintegrated so the erosion takes place very fast unlike the area where weathering takes place at low degree.
5. Tourist attraction
Some landforms resulted by weathering process have good visual impression so are very attractive to tourists.
Example granite tors like Kit mikage in seme hills in Kisumu district
Thanks For reading.. Get ready for the next topic and feel free to comment and ask questions.
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