chemical weathering

American  

noun

Geology.

1. any of the various weathering processes that cause exposed rock to undergo chemical decomposition, changing the chemical and mineralogical composition of the rock.

   Oxygen and acids are agents in chemical weathering.

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Etymology

Origin of chemical weathering

First recorded in 1870–75

Compare meaning

How does chemical-weathering compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mechanical weathering vs. chemical weathering

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chemical weathering

These changes accelerate chemical weathering, a process that can consume atmospheric CO2.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 20, 2026

The structure and dynamics of Earth's crust, therefore, controls the release of CO2 here more strongly than chemical weathering.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 19, 2024

When it's warmer, chemical weathering increases in rate and therefore it gets colder and colder till now, chemical weathering isn't working as fast.

From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2022

For example, in a warm climate, where chemical weathering dominates, soils tend to be richer in clay.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Soil forms through accumulation and decay of organic matter and through the mechanical and chemical weathering processes described above.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015