What is the weathering process called in which entire rock layers are stripped away?

The weathering process wherein entire rock layers are stripped away is known as exfoliation. This process typically occurs in environments where there are significant temperature changes, leading to the expansion and contraction of rock surfaces. As the outer layers of the rock expand when heated and contract when cooled, they may begin to peel or flake away in sheets or layers.

Exfoliation is particularly common in granite and similar rocks, where the outer layer can become detached from the underlying layers due to these temperature-related stresses. Over time, this leads to the gradual removal of broad, thin layers of rock from the surface, making it a significant process in shaping landscapes.

The other choices describe different processes: Weathering in a general sense involves the breakdown of rocks but does not specifically refer to the stripping of layers. Mineralization refers to the process of minerals forming or being deposited, typically not related to the physical stripping of rock layers. Dissolution, on the other hand, involves the chemical alteration of minerals as they dissolve in water, which is different from the physical removal of rock layers.