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It can do this in two ways.

# The Ice can hold rocks in itself and rub these (like sandpaper) across other rocks as it moves, this causes the rocks being rubbed together to break.This is called abrasion.

# It can also break rock as it freezes, this is because when water freezes it expands and thus if water enters a crack in a rock then freezes in the crack the ice will try to force the crack open and over time this breaks up the rock. This is called freeze-thaw.

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How does ice and water break up rock?

Ice and water can break up rock through a process called frost wedging. Water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, causing the rock to fracture. Over time, repeated freezing and thawing can eventually break the rock into smaller pieces.


How does water and ice erode rock?

Water and ice erode rock by a process called freeze-thaw weathering. Water seeps into cracks in the rock, then freezes and expands, putting pressure on the rock. As the ice thaws, the rock is weakened and can break apart. This repeated cycle of freezing and thawing eventually causes the rock to break down.


What is the process in which water wind ice and heat break down rock is called what?

The process in which water, wind, ice, and heat break down rock is called weathering. Weathering involves the physical or chemical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces.


Ice breaking apart a rock?

Ice breaking apart a rock occurs through a process called frost wedging. Water seeps into cracks in the rock, freezes, expands, and forces the rock to break apart over time. The repeated cycles of freezing and thawing gradually weaken the rock and cause it to fragment.


How does ice wear down rock?

Ice can find its way into cracks and fissures of rock when melted to a liquid state. When it refreezes, it expands, prying the cracks further apart. Moving ice can facilitate the abrasion of existing rock into smaller particles by grinding their surfaces against each other. Moving ice can also pluck rock fragments off of existing rock as it moves.

Related Questions

How does ice and water break up rock?

Ice and water can break up rock through a process called frost wedging. Water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, causing the rock to fracture. Over time, repeated freezing and thawing can eventually break the rock into smaller pieces.


What are examples of ice wedging?

wedges of ice widen and deepen cracks in a rock, and can even break the rock into two at some point.


How Ice and plants weathering agents?

They expand within cracks in rock to break the rock apart


When water or ice rub against rock it does what to the rock?

When water rubs against rock, tiny particles of the rock slowly break off and the rock gets smaller. When ice does the same, it does the same thing but a little faster.


How does water and ice erode rock?

Water and ice erode rock by a process called freeze-thaw weathering. Water seeps into cracks in the rock, then freezes and expands, putting pressure on the rock. As the ice thaws, the rock is weakened and can break apart. This repeated cycle of freezing and thawing eventually causes the rock to break down.


What is the term for ice breaking apart a rock?

The term for ice breaking apart a rock is freeze-thaw weathering. This process occurs when water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and causes the rock to break apart.


When granite rock is exposed to water wind or ice it can break down into smaller pieces and become what rock?

Common Granite


What is the process in which water wind ice and heat break down rock is called what?

The process in which water, wind, ice, and heat break down rock is called weathering. Weathering involves the physical or chemical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces.


How doe ice wedging weathers rock?

Ice wedging breaks the rock apart. Water goes into cracks in the rock and when it freezes, it expands. This can cause rocks to split and eventually break. (see the related link)


Melt ice block in spore creatures?

You can't melt iceblocks but if you throw a rock at it, it will break.


How do you breach the ice rock in Pokemon white?

You don't break it. It is used to evolve Eevee into Glaceon.


How do plants mechanically weather rock?

The roots of certain plants can break or crack into a rock, making the rock more susceptible to frost wedging (ice wedging).