Look at the photo. There is a canyon with water flowing through it. Over thousands of years, the water has caused chemical weathering. Identify and describe two possible processes that change the rocks in the canyon.

1 answer

One possible process that can change the rocks in the canyon is dissolution. Dissolution occurs when minerals within the rocks are dissolved by the water flowing through the canyon. The flowing water carries away the dissolved minerals, leading to the erosion and chemical alteration of the rocks over time.

Another possible process that can change the rocks in the canyon is oxidation. Oxidation takes place when certain minerals in the rocks react with oxygen in the air or dissolved in the water. This reaction can cause the rocks to undergo chemical changes, leading to their decomposition or alteration. This process is generally visible through the reddish-brown coloration often observed in oxidized rocks.