Scientists have observed a process called freeze-thaw. That process occurs when the water inside of rocks freezes and expands. That expansion cracks the rocks from the inside and eventually breaks them apart. The freeze-thaw cycle happens over and over again and the break finally happens.

Freeze-thaw The formation of ice can also break rocks. If water gets into a crack in a rock and then freezes, it expands and pushes the crack further apart. When the water freezes, it expands and makes the crack even bigger.

Freeze-thaw occurs when water continually seeps into cracks, freezes and expands, eventually breaking the rock apart.

Erosion happens when rocks and sediments are picked up and moved to another place by ice, water, wind or gravity. Mechanical weathering physically breaks up rock. One example is called frost action or frost shattering.

All coastlines are affected by storms and other natural events that cause erosion; the combination of storm surge at high tide with additional effects from strong waves—conditions commonly associated with landfalling tropical storms—creates the most damaging conditions.

Crop Rotation: Rotating in high-residue crops — such as corn, hay, and small grain — can reduce erosion as the layer of residue protects topsoil from being carried away by wind and water.

Shady locations benefit from: Japanese Pachysandra. Vinca….Some plants that work well on slopes include:

• Burning Bush.
• Fragrant Sumac.
• Japanese Yew.
• California Lilac.
• Creeping Juniper.
• Dwarf Forsythia.
• Snowberry.
• Siberian Carpet Cypress.