Climate has an important effect on weathering. The same rock in a different climate weathers very differently.
• In humid and warm regions, chemical weathering is the dominant type of weathering. Landforms tend to be more rounded and soils tend to be thicker. Virginia has a warm, humid climate.
Old Rag Mountain (Photograph by Stan Johnson)
Old Rag Mountain, in the Blue Ridge of Madison County, is typical of landforms in humid areas. Note the gentle, rounded slopes and abundance of vegetation.
View from Mill Mountain (Photograph by Bob Whisonant)
The above photograph shows the view from Mill Mountain, in Roanoke. In Virginia’s climate, limestones and shales form valleys, and sandstones and conglomerates support ridges. In drier climates, limestone can support ridges.
• In dry and cold regions, physical weathering is the dominant type of weathering. Landforms tend to be sharp and angular and soils tend to be thin.
Sharp, angular landforms such as these in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah (below) are typical of landforms in desert regions.
Bryce Canyon National Park (Photograph by Robert Whisonant)