Spheroidal weathering

[1][2][5] Frequently, erosion has removed the layers of altered rock and other saprolite surrounding corestones that were produced by spheroidal weathering.

Often the spheroidal weathering, which created these corestones and the enclosing saprolite occurred in the prehistoric past during periods of humid, even tropical climates.

Frequently, the removal of the saprolite by erosion and exposure of corestones as freestanding residual boulders, tors, or other landforms occurs many thousands of years later and during vastly different climatic conditions.

The iron-rich and iron-poor shells vary in degree of cementation and, as a result, can produce box work weathering structures during subsequent erosion.

The degree of development of Liesegang rings as the result of weathering depends upon the spacing of the joint systems, groundwater flow, local topography, bedrock composition, and bed thickness.

Spheroidal or woolsack weathering in granite on Haytor , Dartmoor , England
Spheroidal weathering in granite, Estaca de Bares , A Coruña , Galicia, Spain
Woolsack weathering in sandstone at the Externsteine rocks, Teutoburg Forest , Germany
Corestones near Musina , South Africa that were created by spherodial weathering and exposed by the removal of surrounding saprolite by erosion.
Spheroidal weathering of a dolerite dyke , Pilbara , Western Australia