Difference Between Weathering and Erosion: Here are the key differences!

In this blog we are going to tell you about Difference Between Weathering and Erosion, so read this blog carefully to get the complete information.

Then we hear about the breaking and removal of soil minerals and particles, two names come to our mind that is weathering and erosion. These two terms are quite similar to each other as they are related to the breaking and removal of soil minerals. Weathering is the breaking of soil particles and rock minerals into fragments due to the atmosphere whereas erosion refers to the shift of soil particles to another location because of different factors. Let us understand more about what weathering and erosion are along with the main difference points between these two terms so that you can understand these terms in a better way.

What is Weathering?

Weathering is defined as the disintegration or alteration of rock in its natural or original position near the earth’s surface through different processes including physical, chemical, and biological. It is started by factors like wind water and climate. In simple words, weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks into pieces or fragments. There are two basic types of weathering which include physical weathering and chemical weathering. Physical weathering makes rocks crumble while chemical weathering changes rock or soil molecular structure.

What is Erosion?

Erosion is defined as the process by which soil and rock particles are removed away or moved elsewhere by gravity, wind, water, or ice. Weathering leaves soil and rock debris which are transported during the process of erosion. Soil erosion occurs through different methods which include bioerosion, ice erosion, water erosion, and wind erosion.

Key Differences between Weathering and Erosion

The following are the key differences between weathering and erosion as mentioned below:

Meaning

Weathering is the first step in the process of erosion in which rocks break down and decompose into smaller particles on the surface of the earth. On the other hand, the process of erosion starts after weathering and it transports the fine soil particles and rock minerals to different locations.

Types

The process of weathering can occur in three different types which include chemical weathering, physical weathering, and biological weathering. In contrast to this, soil erosion occurs in four types which include water erosion, wind erosion, gravity erosion, and ice erosion.

Movement

There are no aspects of any movement in the process of weathering as the broken down particles remain on the surface of the earth while the aspects of movements are present in the process of soil erosion as the particles or sediments are transported to different regions.

Factors

Some of the main factors which influence the process of weathering include atmospheric factors and also air pressure influence weathering. On the other hand, some of the main factors which influence the process of soil erosion include water, wind ice, and humans as these factors cause erosion.

Duration

The time required for the process of weathering is very long as it happens over a long period whereas the time required for soil erosion is relatively shorter than weathering as it can happen quicker in comparison to weathering.

The final verdict

Overall both weathering and erosion involve rocks but there are certain differences between these two processes. The main difference between these two terms is that weathering is the process of decomposition of rock solids and minerals into fine particles whereas erosion is the process of displacement of the fine particles to other locations. This implies that weathering is the first step that occurs and is followed by soil erosion. We hope that this article was helpful and you have understood the concept of weathering and erosion along with the differences.

Conclusion

We Hope this blog is sufficient enough to provide the information about Difference Between Weathering and Erosion. Thanks for reading this blog.