congelifraction

congelifraction

English

Etymology

Coined by Kirk Bryan in 1946 in "Cryopedology—the study of frozen ground and intensive frost action with suggestions on nomenclature" in the American Journal of Science, volume 244, pages 622–642.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kənˈdʒɛlɪˌfɹækʃən/
• Rhymes: -ækʃən

Noun

congelifraction (uncountable)

1. the weathering of material through the repeated freezing and thawing of water.
   • 1960, Arthur T. Fernald, "Geomorphology of the Upper Kuskokwim region, Alaska", U.S. Geological Survey, Geological Survey Bulletin, issue 1071, page 215

     The rubble is produced by intense frost riving, or congelifraction (Bryan, 1946, p. 640), of the bedrock.

   • 2007, QA International, Understanding the Earth, →ISBN, page 73

     Congelifraction occurs in mountains where frosts and thaws alternate.

See also

• congelifractate