TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN [3 records]

Record 1 2006-11-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • Erosion and Weathering (Geol.)
DEF

The in situ breakdown of rocks and minerals by a set of disintegration processes that do not involve any chemical alteration.

CONT

Weathering is the process by which rocks and their constituent minerals are broken down in situ by mechanical (ice, water, wind) and/or chemical (from the action of percolating ground waters) means. ... Mechanical and chemical weathering are usually inseparable but, under different climatic conditions, one or other may predominate.

CONT

... heavy minerals ... are characteristically resistant to mechanical breakdown and chemical dissolution in the surface environment ...

CONT

Peridotite and eclogite xenoliths, plus minerals derived from their disaggregation are ... observed in kimberlites.

OBS

The chief mechanisms [of mechanical weathering] are: crystal growth, including gelifraction and salt weathering; hydration shattering; insolation weathering (thermoclastis); and pressure release.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Érosion et corrosion (Géologie)
DEF

Processus de modification superficielle de la roche sous l'action physique d'agents atmosphériques.

CONT

La désagrégation mécanique.- Les roches métamorphiques sont soumises comme toutes les autres roches à l'action mécanique des agents naturels, qui les débitent en blocs plus ou moins gros, puis en fragments, et parfois en grains formés d'un ou de plusieurs cristaux.

CONT

La désagrégation mécanique s'exerce par gélivation dans toutes les parties des zones arides [...] où le thermomètre descend nettement au-dessous de 0 °C. Elle y est un facteur essentiel de la fragmentation et donne naissance à des talus d'éboulis.

CONT

La libération de l'or natif [...] peut se faire par désintégration mécanique sous l'action du gel et du dégel [...]

CONT

Les kimberlites contiennent [...] des xénolites de péridotite et d'éclogite ainsi que des minéraux résultant de leur désagrégation.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Erosión y corrosión (Geología)
Save record 1

Record 2 2003-09-02

English

Subject field(s)
  • Cycling
Key term(s)
  • break-down

French

Domaine(s)
  • Cyclisme

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Ciclismo
Save record 2

Record 3 1988-07-12

English

Subject field(s)
  • Fire, Accidents, Miscellaneous Risks (Insur.)

French

Domaine(s)
  • Incendies, accidents et risques divers (Assur.)

Spanish

Save record 3

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