Question

14.) the grand canyon has been carved out by the colorado river for approximately 5-6 million years. the process of the colorado river carving out this mile-deep canyon is called?
15.) what are the causes of mechanical weathering?
16.) describe erosion.
17.) in the cycle that shapes earth’s surface, which event must happen before erosion can occur?
18.) what process is responsible for changing the composition of rock?
19.) how do oxbow lakes form?
20.) which process is defined as breaking down rocks into smaller pieces without changing the rocks compositions?

Explanation:

Question 14

The process of a river carving out a canyon is erosion, specifically fluvial erosion (by a river). The Colorado River's action on the Grand Canyon is fluvial erosion, where water flow erodes rock over time.

Mechanical weathering (physical weathering) is caused by physical forces. Causes include: 1. Freeze - thaw action: Water seeps into cracks, freezes (expands), and breaks rock. 2. Plant roots: Roots grow into cracks and expand them. 3. Animal activity: Burrowing animals disturb rock. 4. Abrasion: Rock - rock or rock - sediment collision (e.g., in rivers, wind - blown sand). 5. Exfoliation: Due to pressure release (e.g., when overlying rock is eroded, underlying rock expands and cracks).

Erosion is the process of transporting weathered (or unweathered) rock, sediment, or soil by agents like water, wind, ice, or gravity. For example, a river carries sediment downstream, wind blows sand, glaciers move rock debris, and gravity causes mass wasting (e.g., landslides) to move material. It involves the removal and transportation of earth materials from one location to another.

Answer:

Erosion (specifically fluvial erosion)

Question 15