Geography • Physical GeographyEasy
Which of the following describes the mechanism of exfoliation weathering commonly observed in granitic rock outcrops of the midland and highland regions in Kerala?
A. The alternate expansion and contraction of mineral crystals due to daily temperature fluctuations causing outer rock shells to peel off in concentric layers✓ Correct Answer
B. The chemical dissolution of calcium carbonate minerals by acidic rainwater trickling through rock fissures
C. The mechanical shattering of parent rocks caused exclusively by the extreme pressure of freezing water in high-altitude frost zones
D. The biological activity of extensive root networks penetrating deep crevices and physically splitting massive boulders apart
💡 Solution & Explanation
Exfoliation is a form of physical weathering where diurnal heating and cooling cause expansion and contraction of surface layers, leading to onion-skin peeling of rock masses. Chemical dissolution applies to karst limestone formations rather than typical crystalline rocks. Freezing water is irrelevant in tropical Kerala because freezing temperatures do not occur. Biological root wedging is a distinct process involving organic growth rather than thermal stress. Granitic domes and tors across tropical terrains frequently exhibit this characteristic sheeting structure.
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