What is the primary process responsible for the mechanical breakdown of rocks in arid and semi-arid regions due to alternating expansion and contraction of constituent minerals?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Thermal shock weathering occurs primarily in arid and semi-arid environments where extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations cause surface minerals to expand when heated and contract when cooled at different rates, leading to granular disintegration. Exfoliation involves the peeling away of concentric rock shells due to pressure release, whereas carbonation and hydration are chemical weathering processes requiring moisture. Understanding mechanical weathering aids in analyzing desert landform evolution across plateau landscapes.