Jääsyövytyksenä

Jääsyövytyksenä, also known as frost weathering or freeze-thaw weathering, is a type of physical weathering that occurs when water seeps into cracks and pores in rocks. When the temperature drops below freezing, the water turns to ice. Ice occupies more volume than water, creating pressure within the cracks. This pressure can widen existing cracks or even break off pieces of rock. When the temperature rises above freezing, the ice melts, and the process can repeat. Over time, repeated cycles of freezing and thawing can significantly break down rock formations.

This process is most common in climates that experience frequent temperature fluctuations around the freezing point of water, such as mountainous regions or temperate zones during winter. Jääsyövytyksenä is a key factor in shaping landscapes, contributing to the formation of scree slopes (talus), widening canyons, and altering the texture of exposed rock surfaces. The type of rock also influences the rate at which jääsyövytyksenä occurs. Porous rocks with many small cracks are more susceptible to this type of weathering than dense, impermeable rocks. The presence of minerals within the rock can also play a role, as some minerals may expand or contract differently than the rock matrix during temperature changes, further exacerbating the weathering process.