congelifraction
congelifraction
[kən¦jel·ə¦frak·shən] (geology)
The splitting or disintegration of rocks as the result of the freezing of the water contained. Also known as frost bursting; frost riving; frost shattering; frost splitting; frost weathering; frost wedging; gelifraction; gelivation.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
References in periodicals archive
One of the most typical physical breakdown processes is
congelifraction, which is determined by the porosity and the size distribution of the empty spaces within the rock.
Frost wedging caused by the ice, also known as gelivation or
congelifraction, occurs along the planes of weakness of rocks (the result of their tectonic past) and is at the same time combined with the fracture planes resulting from the stresses caused by sudden changes in temperature.
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