To determine which city's rocks are likeliest to experience frost wedging, we need to understand the conditions under which frost wedging occurs:
1. Frost Wedging Conditions:
- Wet Climate: Water is necessary for frost wedging. A wet climate indicates plentiful rainfall, which provides the necessary water.
- Day and Night Temperatures Around Freezing Point: For frost wedging to occur, temperatures should fluctuate around the freezing point (0°C). This fluctuation allows water to seep into cracks during warmer periods (daytime) and freeze (expand) during colder periods (nighttime), leading to the physical breaking apart of rocks.
Let's analyze each city's climatic and temperature data to determine which one best meets these criteria:
- City A:
- Climate: Dry
- Day Temperature: -11°C
- Night Temperature: -30°C
- Analysis: The temperatures are consistently below freezing, and the climate is dry. There isn't enough water present to support frost wedging.
- City B:
- Climate: Wet
- Day Temperature: 5°C
- Night Temperature: -4°C
- Analysis: The climate is wet, providing sufficient water. The temperatures fluctuate around the freezing point (above freezing during the day and below freezing at night). These conditions are ideal for frost wedging.
- City C:
- Climate: Wet
- Day Temperature: 14°C
- Night Temperature: 6°C
- Analysis: While the climate is wet, the temperatures are well above freezing, so frost wedging is unlikely.
- City D:
- Climate: Dry
- Day Temperature: 26°C
- Night Temperature: 17°C
- Analysis: The climate is dry, and the temperatures are significantly above freezing, making frost wedging unlikely.
Considering these points, City B has the most favorable conditions for frost wedging due to its wet climate and temperature fluctuations around the freezing point.
Thus, the correct answer is:
B. City B because it is a wet region and the temperature fluctuates around the freezing point.
