Question

earth has a great variety of surface features that are caused by weathering and erosion. which of the following describes a change due only to weathering? (1 point) ocean waves washing sand off the beach rivers carrying soil and rocks through valleys wind blowing sand and pebbles off a sand dune tree roots breaking rocks into smaller pieces of rock

Explanation:

To solve this, we first recall the definitions: Weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces (physical or chemical), while erosion is the movement of those pieces.

• "Ocean waves washing sand off the beach" is erosion (moving sand).
• "Rivers carrying soil and rocks through valleys" is erosion (transporting materials).
• "Wind blowing sand and pebbles off a sand dune" is erosion (moving sand/pebbles).
• "Tree roots breaking rocks into smaller pieces" is physical weathering (breaking rocks without moving them).

Answer:

D. tree roots breaking rocks into smaller pieces of rock