A form of mechanical weathering caused by the freezing of water that has entered a pore or crack in a rock. The water expands as it freezes, widening the cracks or pores and often loosening or dislodging rock fragments. As the ice forms, it attracts more water, increasing the effects of frost wedging.

Also known as congelifraction, frost weathering or frost shattering. When a rock is exposed such that water is liquid during the day, but freezes at night, the expansion of the freezing water can cause stress in the rock such that it can shatter. This is ... More

caused by the repeated freeze-thaw cycle of water in extreme climates. Water seeps into the joint or cracks in rocks. When it then freezes, the expanding ice places pressure on the joints in the rock. Finally, when the pressure is too much, the joint expands. In some cases, the rock will split, though this usually happens after repeated freeze and thaws. As new water is added during the warmer days, more ice is created at night, wedging the joints apart further

A process that mechanically breaks apart rock caused by expansion of water as it freezes in cracks and crevices.

the mechanical disintegration, splitting or break-up of rock by the pressure of water freezing in cracks, crevices, pores, joints or bedding planes.