Why is freeze thaw weathering most important in mountainous areas?
In mountainous areas there is obviously rock at a higher altitude which means there are lower temperatures and more precipitation (rain/snow). This water freezes in cracks. As the volume of ice is larger than the same amount of water the crack it freezes in will be forced to expand. When he ice thaws the crack will be bigger. The same proccess ahppens over and over. The same proccess occurs in non-mountain areas but it is more important in mountainous areas becuase there is more freezing and thawing due to temperature and increased precipitation. No freeze thaw weathering at the poles because there is little exposed rock, and very little of the ice ever thaws (note gloal warming though). In the rainforest it is too hot for any water to ever freeze.
