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Where and why does exfoliation occur?

Where and why does exfoliation occur?

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Answer: Exfoliation is a phenomenon in which the upper layers of a rock-body break off from the surface in sheet-like features. These sheets can be formed by many reasons but the many reasons are:

  • Loading and unloading of overburden: Rocks that were previously buried underneath a heavy load of rock are exposed to the surface due to the erosion of the overburden. This release of stress on the underlying rocks causes the outer surface to rock expand and peel away from the underlying rock body in thin sheets. The most common environments in which this is seen is in cold regions where the rock is burdened by ice that melts away or glaciers that move suddenly from over a rock-body.
  • Due to Freezing water: In freezing temperatures, the outermost rock surface can develop cracks due to the expansion of water as it freezes in the rock crevices. When the temperatures get warmer, the water melts and the cracks are seen to form thin sheets.
  • Deserts: In Deserts, the temperature fluctuates highly. During the day, the temperatures soar to heat the surface of the rock and at night the temperatures freeze to suddenly cool the rock surface, causing the upper layer of a rock-body peel away.
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