Granite tors form when magma cools and contracts below softer rock. Over time, erosion exposes the granite batholith and cracks form from contraction and pressure release. Freeze-thaw weathering from water in the cracks causes them to widen and break off scree. This leaves characteristic smooth, round edges and visible joints in the exposed tor. Dartmoor National Park in England has many popular granite tors for tourists to visit, such as Bowermans Nose, Black Tor, and Hay Tor.
2. Granite Tors start to form when magma that has intruded into the crust cools to form a batholith. The softer rock above the batholith erodes away over time leaving the batholith exposed to the elements. While the rock is cooling it starts to contract causing cracks- these also occur when the batholith is exposed and pressure is released. The cracks in the Granite rock are made worse by the process of freeze-thaw weathering, this is the process where water gets into the cracks in the rocks and freezes when the temperature drops, expanding by 9%, this repeated process causes the cracks in the rock to widen. This process affects the Tor more where the joints are closer together.
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4. Case study: Dartmoor Dartmoor has many Tors and is a popular popular place with tourists. Most of the Dartmoor Tors are located in the Dartmoor national park, this makes it an ideal place to visit for tourists.
