Lutgens and Tarbuck provide a very decent account of the processes of formation, weathering and decomposition of rock. It is truly fascinating to learn about the cementing process, which literally takes ages, as well as learn about the power of weathering and erosion. The fact that wind and water, which have seemingly no effect on huge, monster-like rocks, finally crush the latter into dust is very impressive and nearly unbelievable.
However, by far the most surprising thing that I have found out about rocks concerns the process of sediment being turned into rock again. It never occurred to me that ancient looking rocks, which astound with their size and age, have been created slowly, layer by layer, built from the tiniest grits. In other words, the data concerning the sediment stage, a part of rock life cycle, happened to be the most surprising piece of information (Lutgens and Tarbuck “Landscapes Fashioned by Water” 47).
Apart from the process of rock creation and its following destruction, a range of information concerning the specified issue has been learned. I have found out that rocks may form as a result of different processes; apart from the aforementioned sediment stage, which usually leads to the formation of rock, the latter may also emerge as a result of a volcano eruption.
Indeed, the fact that, when cooling down, magma takes a shape of rock is rather interesting piece of information. Moreover, it explains a number of facts concerning the composition of rocks, particularly, the fact that rocks often contain the elements that can only be found in the depth of the Earth (Lutgens and Tarbuck “Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth” 22). In other words, the chapter provides an opportunity for a better understanding of the nature of rock, as well as its function in natural processes.
Though the phenomenon of soil erosion is infamously common in Woodbury, CT, rock erosion does not seem to be under the scrutiny of the local researchers. Taking a closer look at the bedrock geology of the specified area, one will eventually find out that the surface of the area is far from being even – numerous rocks give away the volcanic past of North America. This past is manifested well in Woodbury; despite the fact that the city is located in the area known as the “central valley,” rocks still cover an impressive part of the city surface.
As a result, rock erosion can be observed in the city. Because of the close proximity of the city to Connecticut’s water resources (the entire city is, in fact, located in the Pomperaug river valley), the rocks that are located on the territory of the state, are under the threat of disintegrating much faster than in any other area of Connecticut.
Apart from affecting the rocks, the river system contributes to the soil erosion, not only making the soil less resistant to outward impacts, but also washing various elements out of it and, thus, making it poor in minerals. The results of such erosion are most likely to be drastic: the erosion will lead to the depletion of soil and the further reduction in the amount of crops gathered from the fields in the vicinity of the city’s river system. Thus, the issue of soil erosion must be addressed fast and efficiently to prevent the destruction of the Woodbury soil and rock.
Works Cited
Lutgens, Frederick K. and Edward J.Tarbuck. “Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth.” Foundations of Earth Science (7th Edition). Prentice Hall. 2014. Print.
—. “Landscapes Fashioned by Water.” Foundations of Earth Science (7th Edition). Prentice Hall. 2014. Print.