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Weathering Explain, with the aid of a labelled diagram, how rocks are weathered by frost action. - Junior Cycle Geography - Question 18 - 2018
Question 18
Weathering Explain, with the aid of a labelled diagram, how rocks are weathered by frost action.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Weathering Explain, with the aid of a labelled diagram, how rocks are weathered by frost action. - Junior Cycle Geography - Question 18 - 2018
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Explain how frost action weathers rocks
Answer
Frost action, also known as freeze-thaw weathering, is a physical weathering process that significantly affects rocks. This process occurs in several steps:
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Water Accumulation: Water seeps into cracks and pores of rocks during warmer temperatures.
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Temperature Drop: When temperatures drop, the water trapped inside the cracks freezes.
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Expansion of Ice: As water freezes, it expands by approximately 9%, exerting immense pressure on the surrounding rock.
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Crack Propagation: The pressure from the expanding ice causes the cracks to widen, and over repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, small fragments of the rock break off.
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Repeated Cycles: This process can repeat multiple times, as the cycles of freezing and thawing continue, leading to significant weathering of the rock structure over time.
In summary, frost action contributes to the gradual breakdown and disintegration of rocks due to the physical expansion of ice within rock cracks.