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Block disintegration or separation as a process of mechanical weathering

Answer Text:
Block Disintegration/Separation as a process of mechanical weathering

- Breaking of rocks into blocks along the joints.
- It’s effective in arid areas because of great diurnal temperature range. During the Day, well jointed rocks are
subjected to intense heating causing
minerals in it to expand.
- In the night the rock is cooled causing it to contract.
- The rock joints enlarge due to the alternating cooling and contraction.
- The process is repeated over a long time causing the rock to
disintegrate into blocks along the joints e.g. Mundanda rock in Tsavo East.