Thermal Erosion

the combined thermal and mechanical action of running water on frozen rocks and ice. The initial stage in the thermal erosion of frozen rocks is usually preceded by the thawing of ice wedges contained in the rocks. Such thawing results in the formation of a polygonal network of grooves on the exposed surface. In the presence of a natural surface slope, these grooves become channels for the runoff of meltwater and rain, which in turn subject the frozen rocks to a further thermal and erosive action.