Question

Describe two causes of biological weathering.

Answer 1

1. Action by plants
   • Roots of plants penetrate grow into joints or cracks.
   • As the trees grow bigger, the root also grow bigger widening the joints and cracks.
   • Blocks separate in what is called wedging mechanism. 
2. Action of animals
   • Burrowing animals such as moley rabbits, Earth worms break off small bits of rocks from the main rock.
   • By digging these animals expose a large surface area to other weathered processes.
   • Large herds of cattle and Zebras’ bound the rock with there hooves as they move breaking them into smaller particles.