Exfoliating slabs of granite, on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, USA

Exfoliating granite is a granite undergoing exfoliation, or onion skin weathering (desquamation). The external delaminated layers of granite are gradually produced by the cyclic variations of temperature at the surface of the rock in a process also called spalling. Frost and ice expansion in the joints during the winter accelerate the alteration process while the most unstable loosen external layers are removed by gravity assisted by runoff water.

Geology

Homogeneous granitic plutons are created in high-pressure environments and slowly solidify beneath the Earth's crust. Vertical compression of overburden releases through erosion, or removal of overlying rocks resulting in unloading.[1][2] Other contributors of unloading are tectonic uplift, glacier retreat, and mass wasting.[3] The pressure is relieved when the granite is exposed at the surface, allowing it to expand towards the atmosphere.[1]

Exfoliating granite, at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas

On the surface, if the granite is not jointed, or if it has few joints, then the exposed surface usually expands faster than the underlying granite. The surface layer, often a couple hundred feet thick, separates from the underlying granite along an expansion joint to form a shell. As this continues, several concentric shells may form to depths of 100 feet (30 m) feet or more.[4] Concentric slabs/shells of rock begin to break loose, onion-like layers subparallel to the exterior called exfoliating, sheet jointing, or fractures.[1][2] As the granite expands the outer, most shells become susceptible to weathering by water pressure, freeze/thaw cycles, and functioning vegetation is a process called physical weathering.[5] The sheets of granite are large enough to shave off sharp edges on the granite's surface creating a dome shape. The overall activity creates exfoliation domes.[3]

Dangers

Rock falls

Exfoliating rock can trigger rockfall.[6] Rock Falls in Yosemite National Park are common and pose threats to visitors. United States Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a study over a three-year period monitoring granite cracks within the park's Valley. Data collected by Park Geologist Greg Stock, and USGS civil engineer Brian Collins using deformation and temperature gauges. They concluded that there is an outward expansion with the change in thermal temperature up to an inch. With prolonged movement, the cracks expand over time and create exfoliation.[7]

Infrastructure failure

Twain Harte Lake Dam is in Tuolumne County located within the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Engineers began construction on the dam in 1928 and placed the structure between two granite domes. In August 2014, the granite developed exfoliating joints and began to leak. The process was captured on video and is one of a couple ever to be caught on film. The lake was completely drained and the cost of reconstruction nine-hundred thousand dollars. In June 2016, the granite rock had to be closed off for a second time because of the continued exfoliation.[8]

Historic discovery

Grove Karl Gilbert is considered one of the most influential geologists of his generation. He was the only president of the Geographic Society to receive the highest honor for geographic accomplishment; Hubbard Medal.[9] Working his way down the Great Basin, Gilbert knew the general formation of mountains through a tectonic process, and are composed of different rock types. He observed that the mountain ranges in this area contained similarities in strata, resembling bubbles and blisters on the earth's surface. He concluded that the mountains were once intrusive magma that had and became visible with erosion. Gilbert presented his findings in a report and contributed significantly in what future generations would know as Geomorphology.[9]

Examples

Characteristics of exfoliating granite

References

  1. 1 2 3 Petersen, James F., Dorthy Sack, and Robert E. Gabler. "Pg. 292." Fundamentals of Physical Geography. 1st ed. Belmont: Brooks/Cole, 2010. 292-93. Print.
  2. 1 2 Lutgens, Frederick K., and Edward J. Tarbuck. "Entire Book." Essentials Of Geology. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006. 118-19. Print. ISBN 0131497499
  3. 1 2 "Forming Yosemite's Famous Granite Domes." My Yosemite Park. N.p., 19 May 2015. Web. 12 May 2017. <http://www.myyosemitepark.com/granite-domes/>.
  4. ↑ N. King Huber and Julie A. Roller, from the writings of Frank C. Calkins and other sources (1985). "Geologic Trips, Sierra Nevada" (PDF). Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  5. ↑ Schutter, Paul De. "Exfoliating Domes." OUGS Mainland Europe | The Open University Geological Society: HOME. N.p., 2007. Web. 12 May 2017. <http://www.ougseurope.org/>.
  6. ↑ Rockfall triggering by cyclic thermal stressing of exfoliation fractures : Nature Geoscience : Nature Research, accessdate: January 5, 2017
  7. ↑ Gordon, Leslie C. "Hot Days Can Trigger Yosemite Rockfalls." Hot Days Can Trigger Yosemite Rockfalls. USGS, 28 Mar. 2016. Web. 12 May 2017. <https://www.usgs.gov/news/hot-days-can-trigger-yosemite-rockfalls>.
  8. ↑ McCaffrey, Tim. "History." Twain Harte Lake. N.p., 2016. Web. 12 May 2017. <http://www.thlake.org/history/>.
  9. 1 2 Hunter, Cathy. "Grove Karl Gilbert, “A Captain Bold”." National Geographic Society. N.p., 13 Jan. 2016. Web. 12 May 2017. <>.
  10. 1 2 Frank, Dave. USGS Geology and Geophysics. N.p., 25 Apr. 2017. Web. 12 May 2017. <https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/misc/gweaero.html>.
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