Here's how it works:
* Expansion and Contraction: Rocks expand when heated and contract when cooled. Different minerals within a rock have different expansion and contraction rates.
* Stress and Cracks: This difference in expansion and contraction creates stress within the rock. Over time, this stress can cause microscopic cracks to form and grow.
* Flaking: With repeated cycles of heating and cooling, these cracks can widen and eventually cause pieces of the rock to flake off.
This process is common in deserts, where there are large temperature swings between day and night. It can also happen in areas with rapid freeze-thaw cycles.
