What is ice wedging?

Ice wedging, also known as frost wedging or freeze-thaw weathering, is a type of mechanical weathering process that occurs in cold climates where water expands as it freezes. This process is responsible for breaking rocks and soil apart into smaller pieces.

The process of ice wedging begins with water seeping into cracks and crevices in rock formations. As the temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands, putting pressure on the surrounding rock. As the ice expands, it causes the crack to widen, eventually breaking off small fragments of the rock.

Over time, repeated cycles of freezing and thawing can lead to the disintegration of rocks and the formation of new soil. Ice wedging is particularly common in regions with cold winters and a lot of precipitation, such as mountainous areas and high latitude regions.

Ice wedging plays a significant role in shaping the Earth's landscape, contributing to the formation of features such as talus slopes, rockfalls, and even entire mountains. It is also important for the process of soil formation, as it breaks down rocks into smaller particles that can eventually become soil.