Weathering of Rock

The rain fell on the rocks of the volcanoes and weathered them. Weathering can happen in several ways.

Rain can enter cracks in the rock. At night it freezes into ice and expands, breaking open the rock.

Rain also contains chemicals called acids which can attack the rock. The rock breaks down into sand, clay and minerals. These are carried along in streams but the sand and clay soon sinks to the bottom. The minerals are carried away in the streams which collect to make oceans.