How are exfoliation joints formed?

The basis of this theory is that erosion of overburden and exhumation of deeply buried rock to the ground surface allows previously compressed rock to expand radially, creating tensile stress and fracturing the rock in layers parallel to the ground surface.

How is exfoliation domes formed?

This tension is relieved by formation of cracks which follow the land surface – they are relatively flat on plateaus, but can be steep on the flanks of mountains which are called exfoliation domes. Once the cracks develop, water enters and causes chemical weathering leading to the formation of new low-density minerals.

How are joints formed geology?

Formation. Joints arise from brittle fracture of a rock or layer due to tensile stress. This stress may be imposed from outside; for example, by the stretching of layers, the rise of pore fluid pressure, or shrinkage caused by the cooling or desiccation of a rock body or layer whose outside boundaries remained fixed.

Where does exfoliation occur in the world?

Some of the most common are bedding planes in sedimentary rocks, exfoliation in metamorphic rocks and joints in massive igneous rocks. Through uplift and erosion, rock rise slowly to the Earth’s surface, where they are free from the weight of overlying rock; thus, their fractures will open slightly.

What is the main cause of exfoliation?

exfoliation Weakening and separation of the surface layers of rock as a result of chemical or (possibly) thermal weathering, or of pressure release due to erosion. The decomposition of biotite and hydration of feldspar in granite causes swelling that may lead to failure.

What is exfoliation in geology?

Exfoliation is a process in which large flat or curved sheets of rock fracture and are detached from the outcrop due to pressure release: As erosion removes the overburden from a rock that formed at high pressure deep in the Earth´s crust, it allows the rock to expand, thus resulting in cracks and fractures along sheet …

What are mural joints?

(a) Mural Joints: These joints are common in granites and related plutonic rocks and some hypabyssal rocks. These joints appear in a three dimensional network, the joint sets being mutually perpendicular to each other. The joints break the rock into separate somewhat cubical blocks.

What is the scientific definition of exfoliation?

exfoliation, separation of successive thin shells, or spalls, from massive rock such as granite or basalt; it is common in regions that have moderate rainfall. The thickness of individual sheet or plate may be from a few millimetres to a few metres.

What type of climate does exfoliation occur?

As a rock face erodes, rocks underneath have less weight and pressure on them, and thus they expand breaking the rock off in layers parallel to the rock. Where is exfoliation most likely to occur? Exfoliation occurs mostly in mountain regions where intrusive igneous rock has been uplifted and exposed by erosion.

What are the causes of exfoliation?

Exfoliation can occur due to several processes. Unloading or release of stress in a rock that produces expansion joints can cause exfoliation. A reduction in stress occurs when rocks previously buried deeply are exposed due to erosion of overlying rocks, or when ice sheets that bury rocks melt.

What are exfoliation joints?

Exfoliation joints or sheet joints are surface-parallel fracture systems in rock, and often leading to erosion of concentric slabs. (See Joint (geology)).

Exfoliation joints or sheet joints are surface-parallel fracture systems in rock, and often leading to erosion of concentric slabs. (See Joint (geology) ). Commonly follow topography. Divide the rock into sub-planar slabs.

How are exfoliation fractures inferred to form?

Hence, exfoliation fractures are inferred to form under unloading conditions, and they differ from joints that are associated with burial or tectonic processes which generally occur under increasing loading. 5. Velocity of fracture propagation

How do exfoliation joints help form domes?

Exfoliation joints have modified the near-surface portions of massive granitic rocks in Yosemite National Park, helping create the many spectacular domes, including Half Dome shown here.