Sea arches and sea stacks provide evidence of weathering and erosion. In three to five sentences, explain the roles weathering and erosion play in creating these landforms.(4 points) @bott
Weathering is the breakdown of rocks and minerals on the Earth's surface, and erosion is the transportation and removal of the weathered material by wind, water, or ice. In the case of sea arches, the weathering process weakens the rock layers along the shoreline, creating caves. Over time, erosion by waves and water gradually enlarges these caves, eventually forming a hole through the headland and creating the arch shape. Sea stacks, on the other hand, result from the erosion and weathering of sea arches. As a sea arch collapses due to further weathering, the detached piece of rock left standing is known as a sea stack. This process demonstrates how weathering and subsequent erosion work in tandem to shape coastal landscapes.
Weathering and erosion are two key processes that shape and create sea arches and sea stacks. Weathering refers to the breakdown and decomposition of rocks and landforms due to exposure to various weather elements, such as wind, water, and freezing and thawing. Over time, weathering weakens the rocks and creates openings or faults that become vulnerable to erosion. Erosion, on the other hand, involves the removal and transportation of weathered materials, such as sediments and rocks, by natural forces like wind, water, and waves. As waves crash against coastal cliffs, they exploit these weaknesses caused by weathering, gradually eroding and wearing away the rocks. This continuous erosion process eventually forms sea arches, where the erosion has created a passage or arch through the cliff. Sea stacks, on the other hand, are remnants of coastal cliffs that have been completely eroded, leaving behind isolated columns or pillars. Thus, weathering weakens the rocks, while erosion removes the weathered material, shaping the cliffs into sea arches and sea stacks over time.
Weathering and erosion play crucial roles in the formation of sea arches and sea stacks. Weathering refers to the breakdown and alteration of rocks at or near the Earth's surface by various physical, chemical, and biological processes. This gradual weathering weakens the rocks, making them susceptible to erosion. Erosion, on the other hand, involves the removal and transportation of these weathered materials by natural agents like wind, water, or ice. As these agents continuously erode the rocky coastline, they create caves and notches in the cliffs, eventually leading to the formation of sea arches. Over time, due to further erosion and the collapse of the arch, a sea stack is formed, a solitary rock column rising out of the sea. Thus, weathering weakens the rocks, while erosion carves and reshapes them to produce these unique coastal features.
