Question

There is a specific term used by geologists to describ rock weathering in which shells or plates are broken away from a rock leaving it rounded in appearance. what is this term?

Answer 1

EXFOLIATION:
The specific term which is used by geologists to describ rock weathering
in which shells or plates are broken away from a rock leaving it rounded in appearance
is called EXFOLIATION

Answer 2

Rock weathering in which shells or plates are broken away from a rock leaving it rounded in appearance is called exfoliation.

• Exfoliation is a type of mechanical weathering where curved plates and shells of rocks are stripped away in the form of sheets.
• This kind of weathering gives the rocks a round or dome shape.
• The resulting structures are called exfoliation domes.
• Rounded boulders and dome-like hills are all formed due to exfoliation.
• It is also referred to as unloading of the rocks as it is the outer layer of the rocks that keeps breaking away resulting in rock relaxation.
• There are many physical and chemical activities like erosion, water freezing inside the rocks, climate change in deserts, etc that causes exfoliation.