Here's why:
* Pressure Relief: When deeply buried rocks are exposed at the surface, the immense pressure they were under is released.
* Expansion: The rock then expands slightly due to the pressure reduction.
* Fractures: This expansion can cause the rock to fracture along curved, concentric lines, like the layers of an onion. These fractures are often parallel to the surface.
Sheeting is a common geological process that can lead to the formation of:
* Exfoliation domes: Large, rounded rock formations that are sculpted by sheeting.
* Talus slopes: Accumulations of broken rock fragments at the base of cliffs.
* Spheroidal weathering: The rounding of rock surfaces due to the combined effects of sheeting and chemical weathering.
Let me know if you have any other questions about geological processes!
