What Is Salt Weathering?

Classification

• There are three distinct types of weathering: chemical weathering, physical weathering, and biological weathering. Salt weathering falls under the category of physical weathering.

Crystallization Weathering

• Salt weathering is further categorized as a type of crystallization weathering, much like ice crystallization. Often, salt crystallization and ice crystallization occur simultaneously.

How Salt Weathering Happens

• Salt weathering occurs when a saline solution gets into cracks or pores in rock. If the temperature changes enough for the ice to crystallize, it will expand in the crack, and may fracture the rock.

Where Salt Weathering Occurs

• Salt weathering is primarily a concern in marine areas where the presence of the ocean ensures a high level of salt in water vapor. Salt weathering also tends to happen in climates that are hot and dry.

Porous Materials

• The more porous a material is, the more susceptible it will be to the effects of salt weathering.