Which environment is most likely to experience mechanical weathering due to freeze-thaw cycles?

Mechanical weathering due to freeze-thaw cycles occurs in environments where temperatures fluctuate around the freezing point, allowing water to infiltrate cracks in rocks. When the temperature drops, the water freezes and expands, exerting pressure on the surrounding rock. Upon thawing, the water returns to its liquid form, leading to a cycle of expansion and contraction. This repeated process gradually breaks down rock into smaller pieces.

In temperate regions, the climate typically experiences seasonal variations, including cold winters that provide the necessary conditions for freeze-thaw cycles. The presence of moisture from precipitation, combined with fluctuating temperatures, makes these areas particularly susceptible to this form of mechanical weathering. As a result, rocks in these environments are more likely to be physically broken down over time due to this natural process.

Although deserts experience mechanical weathering from temperature extremes, the lack of moisture limits freeze-thaw cycles. Tropical rainforests have consistently warm temperatures and high moisture levels, which do not promote freeze-thaw processes. Urban areas can have some localized weathering due to human activities, but they do not specifically enhance the freeze-thaw cycle effects found in temperate regions. Thus, the conditions in temperate regions make them the most likely environment to experience this particular type of mechanical