The weathering process responsible for breaking this marble is likely
A) exfoliation.
B) carbonation.
C) frost wedging.
D) salt-crystal growth.

Question

The weathering process responsible for breaking this marble is likely
A) exfoliation. 
B) carbonation. 
C) frost wedging. 
D) salt-crystal growth.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pattern of cracks on the marble suggests that water seeped into the cracks and froze, causing the water to expand and widen the cracks until the marble finally broke. This is a classic example of frost wedging, which occurs in areas with freeze-thaw cycles where water gets into cracks and expands as it freezes, eventually causing mechanical weathering.

The Weathering Process Responsible for Breaking This Marble Is Likely