Under similar warm,moist climatic conditions,why would basalt and gabbro generally have higher chemical weathering rates than rhyolite and granite?
A)The quartz in the gabbro and basalt decomposes very quickly.
B)The ferromagnesian minerals in the gabbro and basalt are subject to oxidation and chemical breakdown.
C)The plagioclase feldspars in the granite and rhyolite decompose readily to clay minerals and iron oxides.
D)The potassium feldspars and quartz in the rhyolite and granite are more susceptible to cracking by frost wedging.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Basalt and gabbro contain more ferromagnesian minerals (such as olivine and pyroxene) than rhyolite and granite, which are rich in feldspars and quartz. These ferromagnesian minerals are more susceptible to chemical breakdown through oxidation and other chemical processes, leading to higher rates of chemical weathering in basalt and gabbro compared to rhyolite and granite.

Under Similar Warm,moist Climatic Conditions,why Would Basalt and Gabbro Generally