Limestone and chalk are soluble in rain water and thus subjected
to carbonation-solution.
JOINTING
Joints are lines of weakness in rocks. Roots of trees and rain water can
enter the joints and bring about physical and chemical weathering.
GRAINSIZE
The bigger the grains, the faster it will be weathered.
RELIEF
When the relief of a place is steep, landslides and slumping may occur,
exposing the underlying rocks to weathering especially physical.
CLIMATE
The rate of chemical weathering increases as temperature and rainfall
increase. When there is a large diurnal range of temperature, exfoliation, granular
disintegration and block disintegration are active. When temperature fluctuate
around freezing point (e.g. in mountain areas)
VEGETATION COVER
Vegetation retains rain water and thus the rocks are subjected to
chemical weathering. The roots of plants also open up cracks, expose more rocks to
weathering.
MAN'S ACTIVITIES
Man's industrial activities cause pollution (sulphur dioxide) in the
air. When rain mixes with the gases, it forms acid rain which
breaks down rocks rapidly.
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