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Freeze/thaw cycle doesn't create potholes. It creates cracks on pavement. Potholes form when water, whether from melting snow, rain or frost thawing gets into the cracks in the pavement and cause the road base to shift and develop voids just under the pavement. When this occurs, the weight of vehicles causes the pavement to crumble causing potholes.

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15y ago
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4mo ago

Freezing and thawing cycles occur when water seeps into cracks in roads or rocks, freezes, expands, and then melts, causing the material to crack and break apart. This process weakens the structure over time, eventually leading to the formation of potholes in roads and breaks in rocks. Regular maintenance is needed to prevent or repair these damages.

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15y ago

It is an example of mechanical weathering.

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7y ago

ice wedging

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Q: Freezing and thawing cycle that causes potholes in roads and breaks in rocks?
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What causes potholes and breaks in rocks from freezing an thawing cycle is what?

Potholes and breaks in rocks from the freezing and thawing cycle are caused by water seeping into cracks in the rock, freezing and expanding, and then thawing and contracting. This repeated cycle weakens the rock and can eventually lead to the formation of potholes or breaks.


What kind of weathering creates potholes?

Freeze-thaw weathering is a common process that creates potholes. Water seeps into cracks in the road, freezes during cold weather, expands, and weakens the pavement material. This cycle of freezing and thawing causes the road surface to break up, leading to the formation of potholes.


How does the freezing and thawing of water affect a rock?

Water has the unusal property of expanding, when frozen into ice. Water that seeps into cracks and then freezes, exerts tremendous pressure, which forces the crack open. During a thaw the loose parts will fall out.


What type of weathering can ice wedging cause?

The type of weathering that causes Ice Wedging is Mechanical/ Physical Weathering.


What property of water that causes roadways to deteriorate more in winter than in summer?

The property of water that causes roadways to deteriorate more in winter than in summer is freeze-thaw cycles. Water can seep into cracks in the pavement, freeze during cold temperatures, expand, and then thaw. This repeated cycle of freezing and thawing creates pressure within the cracks, leading to cracks and potholes forming on the road surface.

Related questions

What causes potholes and breaks in rocks from freezing an thawing cycle is what?

Potholes and breaks in rocks from the freezing and thawing cycle are caused by water seeping into cracks in the rock, freezing and expanding, and then thawing and contracting. This repeated cycle weakens the rock and can eventually lead to the formation of potholes or breaks.


Why does ice wedging cause potholes?

Ice wedging causes potholes by expanding cracks in pavement when water seeps into them, freezes, and expands. This repeated cycle of freezing and thawing weakens the pavement, leading to the formation of potholes.


What kind of weathering creates potholes?

Freeze-thaw weathering is a common process that creates potholes. Water seeps into cracks in the road, freezes during cold weather, expands, and weakens the pavement material. This cycle of freezing and thawing causes the road surface to break up, leading to the formation of potholes.


What are the causes of mechanical and chemical weathering?

Freezing and Thawing, Release of pressure. Growth of plants, actions of animals & Abrasion.


What causes weathering on marble and limestone?

acid rain causes the marbel statues to arode


What is physical deterioration?

The Change in volume of structure due to temperature variation,freezing and thawing,unexpected deformations cracking etc.,causes physical deterioration.


What often causes potholes in streets?

ice wedging


Weathering process constant freezing and thawing of water?

Constant freezing and thawing of water causes mechanical weathering through frost wedging. As water freezes, it expands and exerts pressure on rocks, leading to cracks and fractures. When the ice thaws, the rock can break apart due to the increased stress, eventually leading to the breakdown of the rock over time.


How does the freezing and thawing of water affect a rock?

Water has the unusal property of expanding, when frozen into ice. Water that seeps into cracks and then freezes, exerts tremendous pressure, which forces the crack open. During a thaw the loose parts will fall out.


What is an example of a physical weathering and what is weathered?

An example of physical weathering is freeze-thaw weathering, where water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and causes the rock to break apart. The rock is weathered in this process, as the repeated freezing and thawing weakens and eventually breaks it apart.


What type of weathering can ice wedging cause?

The type of weathering that causes Ice Wedging is Mechanical/ Physical Weathering.


What property of water that causes roadways to deteriorate more in winter than in summer?

The property of water that causes roadways to deteriorate more in winter than in summer is freeze-thaw cycles. Water can seep into cracks in the pavement, freeze during cold temperatures, expand, and then thaw. This repeated cycle of freezing and thawing creates pressure within the cracks, leading to cracks and potholes forming on the road surface.