Granite tors form when magma cools and forms a batholith underneath softer rock. Over time, erosion exposes the batholith and weathering causes cracks from contraction and pressure release. Freeze-thaw weathering widens cracks as water enters and expands when freezing, breaking off scree. This leaves tors with visible joints, smooth rounded edges, and horizontal bedding planes. Dartmoor has many tors located in its national park, making it a popular tourist destination.

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.

3. As this freeze-thaw weathering continues bits of Rock start to
break off, the name for these pieces of rock is scree.
This type of weathering leaves the Tor with certain characteristics:
1. The joints also become visible in the Tor,
2. The Tors edges are smooth and round.
Horizontal Bedding Planes
Smooth Round Edges
Vertical Joints

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.

5. Examples of Dartmoor Tors:
Bowermans nose:
Black Tor
Hay Tor
Hound Tor