Which erosional process primarily enlarges existing cirques in alpine regions experiencing freeze-thaw cycles?

💡 Explanation

When water enters pre-existing rock joints surrounding a cirque, repeated freeze-thaw cycles cause ice wedging and subsequent plucking, enlarging the cirque headwall. Therefore plucking enhanced by jointing results, rather than nivation, abrasion, or carbonation, which are less effective in this geomorphic setting.

• Which mechanism causes increased stream meandering in regions experiencing permafrost thaw?
• Which outcome results when large-scale wind patterns encounter significant topographic barriers?
• Which risk increases where strike-slip faults intersect aquifers?
• Which phenomenon causes explosive volcanic eruptions at subduction zone stratovolcanoes?
• Which mechanism explains shield volcano formation associated with mantle plumes?
• Which landform feature forms when longshore drift connects an island to the mainland?