Weathering & Rock Safari

Armed with the iPads and your own eyes…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/environment_earth_universe/rock_cycle/revision/6/

Can you find the following on the school site – we will follow a particular route…

• Igneous• Sedimentary• Metamorphic Rocks• Evidence of physical weathering• Evidence of biological weathering• Evidence of chemical weathering• Evidence of people weathering…

Spalling – bricks flaking off, due to moisture and salt getting intothe brick or stone

Discolouration – often the result of exposure to pollution

Lichens – grow slowly on rocks, and help break up the surfaceMoss – a sign of moisture

Ivy and other climbing plants can also damage brick

Walls – vehicles splash water and salt onto base of them.

Steps – people’s feet over many years wears away the centre of the step more than the edges.

Water – can freeze and ice expands in cracks

Clues

• Look for steps where lots of people have walked

• Look for decoration on buildings such as statues and carving

• Work out where water will have flowed• Look at walls, particularly the bottom of them• Watch out for plants growing in or on stone or

brick