Exfoliation joint

Despite their common occurrence in many different landscapes, geologists have yet to reach an agreement on a general theory of exfoliation joint formation.

[12] Large diurnal or fire-induced temperature fluctuations have been observed to create thin lamination and flaking at the surface of rocks, sometimes labeled exfoliation.

[15] Tensile cracks can form in a compressive stress field due to the influence of pervasive microcracks in the rock lattice and extension of so-called wing cracks from near the tips of preferentially oriented microcracks, which then curve and align with the direction of the principle compressive stress.

Exfoliation joints following the topography of inclined valley walls, bedrock hill slopes, and cliffs can create rock blocks that are particularly prone to sliding.

Finally, exfoliation joints can exert strong directional control on groundwater flow and contaminant transport.

Exfoliation joints wrapping around Half Dome in Yosemite National Park , California.
Exfoliation joints in granite at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas, US. Detached blocks have slid along the steeply-dipping joint plane.
Exfoliation joints exposed in a road cut in Yosemite National Park , California.
Exfoliation of granite at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas, USA
Exfoliation joints have modified the near-surface portions of massive granitic rocks in Yosemite National Park, helping create the many spectacular domes, including Half Dome shown here.