Physical Weathering: The Mechanical Breakdown of Rocks and Geological Materials

physical weathering

breaking down rock without changing it into new substances

Physical weathering, also known as mechanical weathering, is a process by which rocks and other geological materials are broken down into smaller pieces or fragments through physical means. Physical weathering occurs due to a wide variety of mechanical processes such as expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuation, abrasion by wind and water, freeze-thaw cycles, and pressure release due to the removal of overlying rocks.

Temperature change is one of the most common causes of physical weathering. As rocks are exposed to fluctuating temperatures, they expand and contract, causing them to crack and eventually break apart. Abrasion by wind and water can also lead to physical weathering by wearing down rocks and creating smaller fragments. In areas where there are frequent freeze-thaw cycles, water seeps into the cracks of rocks and freezes, which causes it to expand and create pressure that can eventually crack the rock into smaller pieces. Pressure release is another process of physical weathering where rocks that were once buried under layers of sediments or other rocks become exposed to the surface due to various geological events such as uplift and erosion. The removal of overlying rocks causes the expansion of the underlying rocks which leads to the creation of fractures and eventually causes the rocks to break apart.

Overall, physical weathering is the process of wearing down larger rocks into smaller fragments through various mechanical means such as temperature changes, abrasion, freeze-thaw cycles, and pressure release.

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