Which outcome occurs when a coastal cliff composed of shale experiences repeated freeze-thaw cycles?

💡 Explanation

Increased rockfall risk results, because freeze-thaw action causes ice wedging. Water expands upon freezing, exerting pressure within cracks. Therefore, shale fractures more easily, leading to rockfall and cliff instability, rather than stabilized coasts through other processes.

• Which mechanism causes the deflection of high-altitude wind streams?
• Which mechanism causes expansion of subtropical desert regions due to atmospheric circulation?
• Which mechanism drives ocean density and upwelling disruption during El Niño events?
• Which outcome reliably occurs when accumulated stress along a transform fault exceeds the rock's shear strength?
• Which outcome occurs when increased glacial meltwater enters subglacial stream systems in Greenland?
• Which outcome amplifies effusive volcanism around shield volcanoes?