CLASSIFICATION OF ROCK MATERIAL WEATHERING GRADES (SEDIMENTARY AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS), ANON (1977) DESCRIPTION Residual soil GRADE

SYMBOL VI All rock material in degraded condition and original rock structure destroyed. All rock material in a degraded condition but original mass structure still discernible pressure into constituent grains. More than half of the rock material in a degraded condition. DEFINITION FIELD IDENTIFICATION Can be crumbled by hand and finger.

Completely weathered

Slakes readily in water. Geological pick easily indents surface when pushed. Coring not possible by ordinary methods. NX size core can be broken and crushed by hand into smaller pieces. Rock material is plastic and does not readily slake in water. Hammer blow makes drumming sound; possessing strength such that NX core (55mm) cannot be broken by hand. Rock material is not plastic. Hammer blows give a dull note. Needs more than one blow of the geological hammer to break specimen.

Highly weathered

IV

Moderately weathered

III

Less than half of rock material in a degraded condition.

Slightly weathered

II

Discolouration of discontinuity weathered surfaces and some degradation material on discontinuity surfaces. Discolouration of major discontinuity surfaces. No visible evidence of weathering.

Faintly weathered Fresh

IB IA