What is a type of frost action?

Asked by: Nathan Pearson

In geology, two basic types of frost action are described: 1) congelifraction, the shattering or splitting of rock material; and 2) congeliturbation, the churning, heaving, and thrusting of soil material.

What is an example of frost action?

II Frost Cracking. Frost cracking, also termed frost splitting and frost riving (q.v.), occurs when moisture soaks down into joint and cleavage crevices of hard rocks during the thaw season. The water freezes when the temperature is sufficiently lowered; ice expansion causes the rocks to split.

What type of weathering is frost action?

2.2 – Types of Weathering – Physical
Physical weathering is the weakening and subsequent disintegration of rock by physical forces. These physical forces include temperature fluctuation, abrasion, frost action (freezing and thawing), and salt crystal growth.

Is ice wedging a type of frost action?

Frost action weathering is an umbrella term used to describe mechanical weathering processes that break down rock from freezing and thawing action. It includes frost wedging, frost shattering, and cryofracturing, all terms that incorporate this process.

Where frost action is most common?

It is most pronounced in high-altitude and high-latitude areas and is especially associated with alpine, periglacial, subpolar maritime and polar climates, but may occur anywhere at sub-freezing temperatures (between -3 and -8 °C) if water is present.

Is frost action chemical weathering?

There are two types of weathering: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical weathering is the disintegration of rock into smaller and smaller fragments. Frost action is an effective form of mechanical weathering.

Is frost a wedging erosion?

Frost wedging is a form of physical weathering that involves the physical breaking of a rock. It typically occurs in areas with extremely cold conditions with sufficient rainfall.

What is frost action of soil?

the process of alternate freezing and thawing of moisture in soil, rock and other materials, and the resulting effects on materials and on structures placed on, or in, the ground. frozen ground or permafrost.

What is frost action in pavement design?

An upward movement of the subgrade resulting from the expansion of accumulated soil moisture as it freezes. Thaw weakening. A weakened subgrade condition resulting from soil saturation as ice within the soil melts.

What are the three types of weathering?

Weathering is the breakdown of rocks at the Earth’s surface, by the action of rainwater, extremes of temperature, and biological activity. It does not involve the removal of rock material. There are three types of weathering, physical, chemical and biological.

What is the meaning of frost wedging?

the mechanical disintegration, splitting or break-up of rock by the pressure of water freezing in cracks, crevices, pores, joints or bedding planes.

What are the four main types of weathering?

There are four main types of weathering. These are freeze-thaw, onion skin (exfoliation), chemical and biological weathering.