Weathering and Erosion in Kauai

There are many types of weathering that can take place. Due to Kauais unique location and various attributes, many forms of weathering can be seen. Lets Begin.

Photo reference located on the bottom of the page

 

Here in this photo along the back wall there are fissures or small cracks in the rock. These small cracks create joint weaknesses. These are spots in the rock were types of weather can enter and erode the joint further opening it or allowing the rock to completely break apart.  With the consistent moisture getting into these joints via rain fall or river water flow, the rock is constantly being eroded. The rock surrounding the water and laying at the base of the cliff appear to be Talus. These are large rock pieces that have separated from the primary mass because of weathering and accumulate at the base.    

 

 



 



Photo reference located on the bottom of the page

Starting with the bottom of the photo there are many little holes in the rock. These are a form of cavernous weathering, usually caused by salt weathering.  Being that the river is so close to the ocean, it is highly probable that the water in the river is salt water,which could be a contributing factor to the erosion of the rock and causation of the cavernous weathering. Cavernous weathering is when there are holes in the rock. The holes can vary in size, the holes in the picture represent the term Aveoli.  They were formed by salty water constantly running over weak parts in the rock, breaking away the minerals slowly until it eroded a hole in the rock. Now looking across the river, there looks like some white salt deposits on the rock face. Moisture from the river likely carried the salt deposit to the rock and accumulated with time. There is not a lot of visible salt probably because of the constant interaction with moisture. The salts that formed on the rock face has crystallized and is exerting outward energy. If the salts were to crystallize in a rocks fissure or pores, the outward energy created by the crystallizing salt could make the rock crack further or completely break apart.   

Photo reference located on the bottom of the page

 

Kauai has a very dynamic hydrology cycle. Rain fall is a huge contributing factor to the overland flow which is the water that runs off the land and is not absorbed because the soil is already at its maximum saturation. The majority of the soils on the island are very permeable. The permeability is obvious because of all the luscious vegetation. Based on the health of the vegetation the water that saturates the land is likely capillary water. This is a type of water that plant life can absorb and use to sustain life. The ocean water surrounding the island plays an important role in the land erosion of Kauai. The ocean releases salt into the air which is picked up into the atmosphere and rained back down on to the islands surface. The run off makes its way back to the ocean and cycles as such. The ocean has a tendency to pull in frequent rain storms because the air currents traveling over the ocean. The ocean is the primary reason why the island is so well moisturized and is also the main contributor to the islands erosion.

Photos came from Google Images, search Kauai. The links for the individual picture will not post correctly.