Weathered

Weathered is an adjective describing surfaces or materials that have been altered by exposure to weather. It often implies changes in color, texture, and strength due to the action of wind, rain, sun, temperature fluctuations, or moisture. A weathered surface may have a gray patina or roughened texture and can be considered aesthetically desirable or indicative of aging and decay, depending on context.

In geology and earth science, weathering refers to the processes that break down rocks and minerals at or near the Earth’s surface. These processes are physical (mechanical), chemical, and biological. Physical weathering fragments rock without changing its mineral composition, while chemical weathering alters minerals through reactions with water and atmospheric gases; biological weathering involves organisms, such as plant roots or lichen, contributing to breakdown.

Weathering produces materials such as regolith, saprolite, and soil, and it weakens rock surfaces over time. Rates vary with climate, rock type, moisture, and exposure. The textures created by weathering—pitting, smoothing, cracking, and the development of new mineral coatings—are important for landscapes, soil formation, and architectural preservation.

In everyday use, weathered surfaces like wood or stone may show a characteristic aged appearance. Metals can develop patinas or oxide layers, as seen in weathering steels designed to form protective coatings. It is important to distinguish weathering from erosion: weathering occurs in place, whereas erosion involves the removal and transport of material by wind, water, or ice.