What is the process of spheroidal weathering?

Spheroidal weathering is also a process of cracking and splitting off of curved layers from a generally spherical boulder, but on a much smaller scale. It occurs when a rectangular block is weathered from three sides at the corners and from two sides along its edges.

Where does spheroidal weathering occur?

Spheroidal weathering is most common among coarse-grained igneous rocks, especially granite and similar rock types. It is more likely to be found in warm climates, where mechanical weathering by freezing ice is less likely.

What is the difference between spheroidal and exfoliation weathering?

The difference between spheroidal weathering and exfoliation is more than just a matter of scale. The large sheets of massive exfoliating rocks are primarily related to mechanical joints, and stress release is therefore the basic criterion of exfoliation (the theory of G. K. Gilbert).

Is spheroidal weathering exfoliation?

small-scale form of exfoliation, called spheroidal weathering, is restricted to boulder-sized rock material and may occur at some depth within the Earth. In this case, rounded boulders are found surrounded by layers of disintegrated material.

What are types of weathering?

There are three types of weathering, physical, chemical and biological.

What are some examples of physical weathering?

These examples illustrate physical weathering:

  • Swiftly moving water. Rapidly moving water can lift, for short periods of time, rocks from the stream bottom.
  • Ice wedging. Ice wedging causes many rocks to break.
  • Plant roots. Plant roots can grow in cracks.

Why is it called onion skin weathering?

spheroids of weathered rocks in which the successive shells of decayed rock resemble the layers of an onion. Also called onion weathering, concentric weathering.

Which is a result of the spheroidal weathering process?

Weathering process. Spheroidal weathering is the result of chemical weathering of systematically jointed, massive rocks, including granite, dolerite, basalt and sedimentary rocks such as silicified sandstone. It occurs as the result of the chemical alteration of such rocks along intersecting joints.

Which is the result of chemical weathering of rocks?

Spheroidal weathering is the result of chemical weathering of systematically jointed, massive rocks, including granite, dolerite, basalt and sedimentary rocks such as silicified sandstone.

How is spheroidal weathering used in the Pilbara?

Spheroidal weathering of a dolerite dyke, Pilbara, Western Australia. Spheroidal weathering is a form of chemical weathering that affects jointed bedrock and results in the formation of concentric or spherical layers of highly decayed rock within weathered bedrock that is known as saprolite.

What kind of rock is a spheroidal rock?

The differences in weathering rates between the corners, edges, and faces of a bedrock block will result in the formation of spheroidal layers of altered rock that surround an unaltered rounded boulder -size core of relatively unaltered rock known as a corestone or woolsack.