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Crystal Growth as a process of mechanical weathering

Answer Text:
Crystal Growth as a process of mechanical weathering
- Break up of rocks due to crystal growth. - It occurs in arid areas.
- High rate of evaporation draws out moisture and dissolved minerals from the rock interior through capillary action.
- The moisture evaporates when it gets to the surface of
the rock leaving behind crystals in the cracks and pores of rocks.
- The crystals continue to grow exerting pressure on the cracks or pores widening them and eventually causing the rock to break down e.g. at Hells Gate near Naivasha.