What is the significance of 25.6 cm in the definition of a boulder?

In geology, a boulder is defined as a rock fragment with a diameter greater than 25.6 cm. This definition was established by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) in 1973.

The significance of 25.6 cm in the definition of a boulder lies in its relationship to the Wentworth scale, a widely used scale for classifying clastic sediments based on their particle size. According to the Wentworth scale:

  • Particles with diameters < 2 mm are classified as fine-grained, including clay, silt, and sand.
  • Particles with diameters between 2 mm and 25.6 cm are classified as coarse-grained, including granules, pebbles, and cobbles.
  • Particles with diameters > 25.6 cm are classified as boulders.

Therefore, 25.6 cm represents the boundary between coarse-grained and boulder-sized particles. This distinction is important because boulders have distinct physical and ecological characteristics compared to smaller-sized sediments.

  1. What is the significance of 25.6 cm in the definition of a boulder?
    • It represents the boundary between coarse-grained and boulder-sized particles.
  2. What is the Wentworth scale?
    • A widely used scale for classifying clastic sediments based on particle size.
  3. What are the different categories of particles according to the Wentworth scale?
    • Fine-grained (clay, silt, sand), coarse-grained (granules, pebbles, cobbles), and boulders.
  4. What is the difference between a pebble and a cobble?
    • Pebbles have diameters between 4 mm and 64 mm, while cobbles have diameters between 64 mm and 256 mm.
  5. What is the ecological significance of boulders?
    • Boulders can provide habitat for various organisms, stabilize rivers, and protect coastlines from erosion.
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