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How does freezing and thawing of water cause mechanical weathering?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The water gets into cracks or holes in the rocks and settles there. As the waters freezes it expands putting pressure on the internal of the rocks which will lead to weathering!
Hope that helps!
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoFrost wedging occurs when liquid water flows into rock cracks and crevices and then expands upon freezing. The wedging creates a deeper or larger crack which can then be further expanded by additional frost wedging. Additionally, the frost wedging creates additional rock surface which can then be attacked by chemical weathering, mainly by the natural acidity of rainwater.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoWater is a unique liquid in that it expands as it freezes. So, when water infiltrates cracks and fissures or permeates Earth's crustal materials and expands, it causes a gradual disintegration of the crust. Over long periods of time, the crustal materials break down, becoming finer and finer grit, and begin to be washed away by rain and runoff.
Ultimately this material is deposited on the floors of oceans and other water bodies, subducts or lifts, and the process repeats, cycling continuously.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoWater seeps into porous surfaces and freezes, exerting pressure and creating hairline cracks in the substrate. Over time a larger volume of water is able to enter , exerting more pressure and creating larger cracks. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles as described are what cause the weathering of concrete, porous stone etc.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agothe freeze thaw cycle causes rocks to weather by water getting into cracks and crevices in the rock and expanding when it freezes. exerting pressure on the surrounding rock and causing it to fracture. this process is compounded each time the rock thaws and freezes
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoWhen water freezes, it expands (its volume increases) by 9%. So, when water is collected in a crack of a rock and it freezes, the water expands and the crack is opened up further.
This is an especially important mechanical weathering process in localities where there are a lot of freeze/thaw cycles, where temperatures often fluctuate around 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoWater expands when it freezes and becomes ice. If water seeps into cracks into a rock and then freezes, it may crack the rock or weaken it.
Zeraiah oladunjoye
keeps the rocks in place
Zeraiah oladunjoye
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt cracks and expands
Wiki User
∙ 12y agobecause it cracks the rock
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What other thing can cause physical weathering besides the process of thawing and freezing?
water; wind
How many main causes cause mechanical weathering?
4 main causes cause mechanical weathering!
Do plant roots cause mechanical weathering?
Plant roots cause Biological weathering which is indeed Mechanical in its nature. Animals burrowing is also a cause of Biological weathering.
Is tree roots a direct cause of of mechanical weathering?
Tree roots can cause mechanical weathering. Roots will start to grow into cracks in rocks and eventually this will cause the rock to break apart. This is known as mechanical weathering.
When freezing and thawing cause sediments to move slowly downhill what takes place?
erosion
What cause mechanical weathering?
Mechanical weathering breaks rock into pieces by freezing and thawing,release of pressure, growth of plants, action of animals, and abrasion
What other thing can cause physical weathering besides the process of thawing and freezing?
water; wind
How does thawing and freezing of water cause weather?
by the coldness of freezing and the warmness of thawing
What are things that cause physical weathering except for freezing and thawing?
Rain, wind, wind-driven material, sun, water, animal traffic, plant growth ______________________________________________________________________ sand.
How many main causes cause mechanical weathering?
4 main causes cause mechanical weathering!
Do acids cause mechanical weathering?
No, acids cause chemical weathering.
Does ice cause weathering?
Yes, mechanical weathering.
Do plant roots cause mechanical weathering?
Plant roots cause Biological weathering which is indeed Mechanical in its nature. Animals burrowing is also a cause of Biological weathering.
Do tornadoes cause mechanical or chemical weathering?
Mechanical.
Is tree roots a direct cause of of mechanical weathering?
Tree roots can cause mechanical weathering. Roots will start to grow into cracks in rocks and eventually this will cause the rock to break apart. This is known as mechanical weathering.
What types of weathering that does not cause chemical changes?
mechanical weathering
What does acid cause?
mechanical weathering
