Understanding Honeycomb Weathering: Processes and Occurrences

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Honeycomb weathering is a common surface phenomenon affecting a variety of rocks in a range of environments. The processes involve the appearance of closely spaced cavities which are generally small, with an average width of a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Honeycomb weathering is also known as fretting, cavernous weathering, alveoli/alveolar weathering, stone lattice, stone lace or miniature tafoni weathering. Incipient honeycomb weathering in a homogeneous limestone has been experimentally reproduced by wind exposure and salt crystallization. It is a type of salt weathering common on coastal and semi-arid limestone. Honeycomb weathering occurs in many populated region and must have been noted in archaeological sites at Leptis Magna (Libya). …show more content…

The stonework was finished with a lime mortar, which contains a high content of magnesium, indicating a dolomitic limestone was used for burning the lime. In the Leptis Magna site, the honeycomb weathering is found on steep surfaces in the salt spray zone, above the average high tide level. The cavity development is initiated by salt weathering. In the intertidal zone, cavity shapes and sizes are primarily determined by the wetting/drying cycles and the rate of development greatly diminishes when cavities reach a critical size where the amount of seawater left by receding tides is so great that evaporation no longer occurs[5, 6]. Honeycomb weathering commonly occurs in homogeneous sediments and massive crystalline rocks [7]. Honeycomb weathering is extensively developed on coastal buildings, although its distribution shows some variation according to local conditions. Honeycomb weathering cavities can be found on buildings dispersed through the intertidal zone, where they commonly consist of rather shallow circular depressions, inhabited by a variety of marine organisms. The most spectacular occurrences of honeycomb

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