Here's a bit more about it:

* Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks, soils, and minerals through direct contact with the Earth's atmosphere, biota, and waters.

* It occurs in two main ways:

* Physical weathering involves the mechanical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces. This can be caused by things like freezing and thawing of water, abrasion from wind or water, or the growth of plant roots.

* Chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks by chemical reactions. This can be caused by things like acid rain, oxidation, or the dissolving of minerals in water.

The end result of weathering is the creation of soil, which is a mixture of broken-down rock fragments, organic matter, and other materials.