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  • Weathering & Erosion: What Happens to Boulders?
    Boulders, when broken down by weathering and erosion, become a variety of smaller materials, depending on the specific weathering processes involved:

    Physical Weathering:

    * Smaller rocks: The boulder is broken into smaller pieces, ranging from pebbles to cobbles.

    * Sand: Further breakdown of the smaller rocks can create sand grains.

    * Dust: Fine particles of rock can become dust, which can be carried by wind.

    Chemical Weathering:

    * Clay: Chemical reactions can transform minerals in the boulder into clay minerals.

    * Dissolved minerals: Some minerals in the boulder can dissolve into the surrounding water.

    Biological Weathering:

    * Soil: Plant roots, burrowing animals, and other biological activity can break down rocks and contribute to soil formation.

    Overall:

    The breakdown products of a boulder can range from large rocks to microscopic particles, and will vary depending on the types of weathering involved. The end result is a gradual decrease in the size of the rock fragments, contributing to the formation of soil, sand, and other geological materials.

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