Question
Use the diagram below to answer the questions that follows.
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(a) Identify the weathering process shown above.
(b) Describe how rocks are weathered through the above process.
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(a) Identify the weathering process shown above.
(b) Describe how rocks are weathered through the above process.
Answer
a) Block disintegration
b)
- Occurs on rocks with joints and bedding planes found in areas with large diurnal range of temperature.
- During the day, the rocks are heated by the sun and expand.
- During the night, the temperature fall and the rocks are cooled as they contract.
- Expansion and contraction causes stress mainly along the bedding/joints leading to formation of cracks.
- Continued process causes the enlargement of the cracks.
- The rock eventually breaks down into smaller blocks.
b)
- Occurs on rocks with joints and bedding planes found in areas with large diurnal range of temperature.
- During the day, the rocks are heated by the sun and expand.
- During the night, the temperature fall and the rocks are cooled as they contract.
- Expansion and contraction causes stress mainly along the bedding/joints leading to formation of cracks.
- Continued process causes the enlargement of the cracks.
- The rock eventually breaks down into smaller blocks.