Weathering changes the Earth's landscape by breaking down rocks and minerals on the surface through physical, chemical, and biological processes. This breakdown alters the structure and composition of rocks, leading to the formation of soil and sediments that reshape the land over time

. Key ways weathering changes the landscape:

• Physical (Mechanical) Weathering: Processes like freeze-thaw cycles cause water to enter cracks in rocks, freeze, expand, and fracture the rock into smaller pieces. Temperature changes, salt crystal growth, and pressure release also contribute to breaking rocks apart without changing their chemical composition. This increases the surface area exposed to further weathering

• Chemical Weathering: Chemical reactions, often involving water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, alter the minerals in rocks. For example, acidic rainwater reacts with feldspar to form clay minerals. This weakens the rock and changes its composition, contributing to soil formation and landscape alteration

• Biological Weathering: Organisms like plants, fungi, and microbes contribute by physically breaking rocks with roots or chemically altering them through organic acids. This interaction helps create fertile soil and supports ecosystems

Effects on the landscape:

• Weathering gradually wears down mountains, cliffs, and rock formations, transforming them into hills, valleys, and plains over millions of years

• The breakdown products of weathering are transported by erosion agents such as water, wind, and ice, which further sculpt the land by depositing sediments in new locations, forming features like river valleys, coastal cliffs, and soil layers

• Weathering influences soil development, which supports vegetation and ecosystems, thereby affecting the overall landscape and its ability to sustain life

In summary, weathering is a fundamental Earth process that breaks down rocks, alters their chemical makeup, and produces soil and sediments. Combined with erosion and deposition, it continuously reshapes the Earth's surface, creating diverse landscapes and supporting ecosystems