Nature Communications (Feb 2018)

Thermal influences on spontaneous rock dome exfoliation

  • Brian D. Collins,
  • Greg M. Stock,
  • Martha-Cary Eppes,
  • Scott W. Lewis,
  • Skye C. Corbett,
  • Joel B. Smith

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02728-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Thermal triggering of rock exfoliation has long been discounted as relevant to the evolution of rock domes. Here, the authors documented and measured recent fracturing events in California, USA to show that hot summer periods can lead to thermal stresses and cause seemingly spontaneous rock exfoliation.