Examples of Mechanical Weathering?

Question

Can I have some examples of mechanical weathering?

Answer 1

Rivers, Fast flowing rivers can cause sediment to collide and break apart and become rounded

Answer 2

Mechanical weathering is just another term for physical weathering. This can include many different processes (including abrasion by wind or water). the most common are:

Abrasion by wind or water (as mentioned)

Hydraulic action of water

Frost induced weathering and frost or ice wedging (water in cracks expands and contracts as it freezes and thaws causing fracturing)

Exfoliation (caused by pressure release when rocks are unearthed or by thermal expansion)

Biotic weathering (by some organisms that literally bore into limestones or by roots as Jeremy mentioned. Most biotic weathering though is chemical.)

Haloclasty (growth of salt crystals in cracks which expand when heated- works a lot like frost wedging)

If you need more extensive definitions for these Wikipedia has a great summary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weathering

Oh, and one other quick note: with the possible exception of formation of laterites by the hydration of rocks with iron-bearing minerals, I don't think I'd include rust or corrosion as mechanical weathering for rocks. Laterites do crumble more easily than their precursors but it's a stretch.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

Freeze/Thaw - When water freezes in rock joints and expands, then thaws repeatedly causes rocks to break apart.

Exfoliation - Pressure release from rocks causes them to peel apart in layers.

Gravity - Pulls down on rocks, causes them to fall.

Organic activity - ie roots


Oh, and the guy above me gave you an example of Abrasion. Abrasion only occurs if wind or water causes rocks to collide and break.

Answer 4

1) wearing and tearing action of wind and associated win laden sands and dusts

2) Scouring action of running water

3) Beating action of rain

4) Anthropogenic activities such as dinamiting, drilling, crushing and others.

Answer 5

Rust and corrosion?