frost wedging
[/frɔst ˈwɛdʒɪŋ/]
noun
cunha de gelo
1. A geological process in which water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and causes the rock to break apart or fracture
Frost wedging is a major factor in mountain erosion, especially in alpine regions.
A cunha de gelo é um fator importante na erosão de montanhas, especialmente em regiões alpinas.
2. Also called ice wedging or freeze-thaw weathering; a mechanical weathering process that breaks down rock through repeated cycles of freezing and thawing
The boulders on the hillside were broken into smaller pieces through frost wedging over many years.
Os matacões na encosta foram quebrados em pedaços menores através da cunha de gelo durante muitos anos.
Frost wedging is a fundamental concept in geology and geomorphology studied extensively in both American and Brazilian educational institutions. In regions with cold winters, such as the northern United States, Canada, and mountainous areas of Brazil, this process is visibly evident in rock formations and roadway damage. The term is primarily used in academic and scientific contexts rather than in everyday language.
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