Why Do Ice Crystals Break Rocks?

Why Do Ice Crystals Break Rocks? thumbnail
Ice crystals form inside a rock.

Water and its cold-weather companion, ice, are a part of the natural system of weathering and erosion. Together, weathering and erosion help to form mountains, canyons and cliffs.

  1. About Ice

    Effects

    • Ice causes cracks in rocks to widen.
      Ice causes cracks in rocks to widen.

      If water is frozen in tiny cracks or fissures in rocks, the effect of the freezing process (i.e., expansion) will result in the cracks widening.

    Significance

    • Eventually, the process of freezing and melting will result in the rock breaking.

    Time Frame

    • The weathering process can take a very long time, depending on the size of the rock.

    Fun Fact

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References

  • Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Kevin Dooley Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Hamed Saber Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sherrie Thai Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Wolfgang Staudt

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