Question

Give a geographical reason for the following:

Physical weathering is more rapid in desert climates.

Answer 1

Physical weathering is more rapid in desert climates due to the extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night. During the day, the intense heat causes the rocks to expand, and at night, the cool temperatures cause the rocks to contract. This constant cycle of expansion and contraction leads to the cracking and breaking apart of rocks. Since deserts often have very little moisture, processes like freeze-thaw (which also cause weathering) are more prominent, making physical weathering more rapid in desert climates.