What type of weathering involves creating rounded edges?

Spheroidal weathering is the process where angular rock fragments are gradually worn down into rounded shapes through a combination of physical and chemical weathering processes. This occurs preferentially along the joints and fissures in rock, where water can penetrate and facilitate the breakdown of the material. As minerals and rock materials dissolve and are removed, the sharper edges of the fragments are smoothed out, resulting in the characteristic rounded edges.

This type of weathering is prevalent in granite and similar crystalline rocks, where the joints allow for water access. The chemical reactions involved in spheroidal weathering, including the alteration of certain minerals into clays, contribute significantly to the rounding of these rock fragments. It is a notable effect of the interplay between mechanical forces and chemical processes, but the defining characteristic is the formation of rounded shapes as opposed to flat or angular edges found in other weathering processes.