# Exfoliating granite

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Granite spalling in superficial layers due to temperature cycles

Exfoliating slabs of granite, on [Half Dome](/source/Half_Dome) in [Yosemite National Park](/source/Yosemite_National_Park), [USA](/source/United_States)

**Exfoliating granite** is a [granite](/source/Granite) undergoing [exfoliation](/source/Exfoliation_joint), or onion skin weathering ([desquamation](/source/Desquamation)). The external [delaminated](/source/Delamination) layers of granite are gradually produced by the cyclic variations of temperature at the surface of the rock in a process also called [spalling](/source/Spall). [Frost](/source/Frost) and [ice](/source/Ice) expansion in the joints during the winter accelerate the alteration process while the most unstable loose external layers are removed by [gravity](/source/Gravity) assisted by [surface runoff](/source/Surface_runoff) of water.

## Geology

Homogeneous granitic [plutons](/source/Pluton) are created in high-pressure environments and slowly solidify beneath the [Earth's crust](/source/Earth's_crust). Vertical compression of [overburden](/source/Overburden_pressure) releases through [erosion](/source/Erosion), or removal of overlying rocks resulting in [unloading](/source/Weathering).[1][2] Other contributors of unloading are [tectonic uplift](/source/Tectonic_uplift), [glacier retreat](/source/Glacial_motion), and [mass wasting](/source/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](/source/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 (about 60 m or so) thick, separates from the underlying granite along an [expansion joint](/source/Expansion_joint) to form a shell. As this continues, several concentric shells may form to depths of 100 feet (30 m) or more.[4] Concentric shells or layered slabs of rock begin to break loose, onion-like layers subparallel to the exterior called [exfoliation joints](/source/Exfoliation_joint), sheet jointing, or [fractures](/source/Fracture_(geology)).[1][2] As the granite expands the outermost shells may be further widened by processes of physical [weathering](/source/Weathering): water pressure, freeze—thaw cycles, and the effects of vegetation.[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]

Chemical [weathering](/source/Weathering) occurs in granite exfoliation by changing the mineral composition.[6]: 245–246 Mechanical weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments or pieces.[6]: 247–250

## Dangers

### Rock falls

Exfoliating [rock](/source/Rock_(geology)) can trigger [rockfall](/source/Rockfall).[7] Rock Falls in [Yosemite National Park](/source/Yosemite_National_Park) are common and pose a threat to visitors. [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey) (USGS) conducted a study over a three-year period, monitoring granite cracks within the park's Valley. Data was 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 of up to an inch, with a change in thermal temperature. With prolonged movement, the cracks expand over time and create exfoliation.[8]

### Infrastructure failure

[Twain Harte Dam](/source/Twain_Harte_Dam) is in [Tuolumne County, California](/source/Tuolumne_County%2C_California), within the [Sierra Nevada](/source/Sierra_Nevada_(U.S.)) mountain range. The structure, completed in 1928, is between two [granite domes](/source/Granite_domes). In August 2014, the granite developed exfoliating joints and began to leak. The process was captured on video, one of only a few ever to be caught on film. The lake was completely drained; the cost of reconstruction works was [US$](/source/United_States_dollar)900,000. In June 2016, the granite dome known as "the Rock" was closed off for a second time as a safety precaution because of continued exfoliation.[9]

## See also

### Examples

- [Cannon Mountain (New Hampshire)](/source/Cannon_Mountain_(New_Hampshire)) in the [White Mountains](/source/White_Mountains_(New_Hampshire))

- [Enchanted Rock](/source/Enchanted_Rock), Texas

- [Geography of the Yosemite area](/source/Geography_of_the_Yosemite_area) - [Half Dome](/source/Half_Dome), Yosemite - [Royal Arches](/source/Royal_Arches) in [Yosemite National Park](/source/Yosemite_National_Park)

### Processes

- [Discontinuity (geotechnical engineering)](/source/Discontinuity_(geotechnical_engineering)) – Surface dividing a soil or rock mass by differing properties

- [Erosion surface](/source/Erosion_surface) – Natural surface created by rock erosion

- [Foliation (geology)](/source/Foliation_(geology)) – Repetitive layering in metamorphic rocks

- [Spheroidal weathering](/source/Spheroidal_weathering) – Form of chemical weathering that affects jointed bedrock

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-petersen_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-petersen_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-petersen_1-2) Petersen, James F.; Sack, Dorthy; Gabler, Robert E. (2011). *Fundamentals of Physical Geography*. Belmont, California, US: Brooks – Cole. pp. 292–293. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-538-73463-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-538-73463-9).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Lutgens_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Lutgens_2-1) Lutgens, Frederick K.; Tarbuck, Edward J. (2006). *Essentials of Geology* (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, US: Pearson Prentice Hall. pp. 118–119. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0131497499](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0131497499).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mcgivney_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mcgivney_3-1) McGivney, Annette (4 July 2019). ["Forming Yosemite's Granite Domes"](https://www.myyosemitepark.com/things-to-do/natural-wonders/mountains-landscapes/granite-domes/?scope=anon). *Yosemite National Park Trips*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-konigsmark_4-0)** Konigsmark, Ted (2003). *Geologic Trips, Sierra Nevada*. Bored Feet Press; Geopress. p. [232](https://www.geologictrips.com/sn/snttyv.pdf). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9661316-5-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9661316-5-7). [Excerpt].

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Schutter, Paul de (2003). ["Exfoliation Domes"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220521224137/http://www.ougseurope.org/index.php?id=49). *OUGS Mainland Europe*. The Open University Geological Society. Archived from [the original](http://www.ougseurope.org/index.php?id=49) on 21 May 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-blatt_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-blatt_6-1) Blatt, Harvey; Middleton, Gerard V.; Murray, Raymond C. (1980). *Origin of Sedimentary Rocks* (2nd ed.). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, US: Prentice-Hall. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0136427103](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0136427103).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Collins, Brian D.; Stock, Greg M. (May 2016). ["Rockfall triggering by cyclic thermal stressing of exfoliation fractures"](https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo2686). *Nature Geoscience*. **9** (5): 395–400. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1038/ngeo2686](https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fngeo2686). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1752-0908](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1752-0908). From a thermodynamic analysis, we find that daily, seasonal and annual temperature variations are sufficient to drive cyclic and cumulative opening of fractures.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Gordon, Leslie C. (28 March 2016). ["Hot Days Can Trigger Yosemite Rockfalls"](https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/hot-days-can-trigger-yosemite-rockfalls). *United States Geological Survey*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** McCaffrey, Tim (2016). ["History of the Twain Harte Lake"](https://www.thlake.org/history). *Twain Harte Lake*. Twain Harte Lake Association.

## Further reading

- Adelson, Mitch; Seelig, Willliam (27 October 2016). [*Rockfalls in California's Sierra Nevada*](https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/pubtalk-102016-rockfalls-californias-sierra-nevada) (Lecture). U.S. Geological Survey. [PubTalk 10/2016].

- Collins, Brian D.; Stock, Greg M.; Eppes, Martha-Cary; Lewis, Scott W.; Corbett, Skye C.; Smith, Joel B. (22 February 2018). ["Thermal influences on spontaneous rock dome exfoliation"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5823905). *Nature Communications*. **9** (1). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1038/s41467-017-02728-1](https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fs41467-017-02728-1). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [5823905](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5823905).

## External links

- [Exfoliation: Onion Skin Weathering – diagram and explanation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL8ZwPOPMcc) [video] by [Geographer Online](https://www.thegeographeronline.net/) – via YouTube.

- [Granite dome exfoliates, damaging the dam at Twain Harte Lake](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJUHq6nX1iE) [video] uploaded by CondorEarth – via YouTube.

### Images

- ["Exfoliating granite, Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo. 1985"](https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149049410/view). Image by Dombrovskis, Peter. [Transparency] – via [Trove](/source/Trove).

- ["Exfoliating Granite: Sierras"](https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/pestrong/bundles/218786). *DIVA@Academic Technology*. San Francisco State University

- [A large pile of exfoliating granite on Shuteye Ridge just south of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra national forest.](http://www.freeimages.com/premium/exfoliating-granite-1624937) (Stock image)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Exfoliating granite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exfoliating_granite) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exfoliating_granite?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.