Weathering describes the combined action of all processes that cause rock to disintegrate physically and decompose chemically because of exposure near the Earth’s surface.

Weathering is the combined action of physical weathering, in which rocks are fractured and broken, and chemical weathering, in which rock minerals are transformed to softer
or more soluble forms.

There are two types of weathering.

1. In physical weathering, rocks are fractured and broken apart.
2. In chemical weathering, rock minerals are transformed from types that were stable when the rocks were formed to types that are now stable at the temperatures and pressures of the Earth’s surface.

Weathering produces regolith—a surface layer of weathered rock particles that lies above solid, unaltered rock—and also creates a number of distinctive landforms.

Types of physical weathering

1. Frost action
2. Salt – crystal action
3. Exfoliation
4. Block disintegration

Types of chemical weathering

1. Hydrolysis
2. Oxidation
3. Acid action