külmumissulatumise

Külmumissulatumine, also known as freeze-thaw weathering or cryofracture, is a significant geological process that occurs when water infiltrates cracks and pores in rocks or soil. When the temperature drops below freezing, the water turns into ice, expanding and exerting pressure on the surrounding material. This expansion can widen existing cracks or create new ones. As the temperature rises above freezing, the ice melts, and the water may penetrate deeper into the newly formed or widened cracks. This cycle of freezing and thawing, repeated over time, can lead to the gradual disintegration and breakdown of rocks and soil.

The effectiveness of külmumissulatumine depends on several factors, including the presence of water, fluctuating temperatures around the freezing point, and the type of material being affected. Porous rocks with interconnected pore spaces are more susceptible to this process than dense, impermeable rocks. In colder climates, külmumissulatumine is a major driver of landform evolution, contributing to the formation of features like frost-shattered cliffs, scree slopes, and patterned ground. It can also impact infrastructure, causing damage to roads, buildings, and other structures built from susceptible materials. The process is a key component of weathering and erosion, shaping landscapes over geological timescales.