In geomorphology, the disintegration of fine-grained rocks. Slaking is one of the main rock-weathering mechanisms (Stefano and Ferro (2002) Biosys. Engineer. 81). Slake durability is the rate and amount of strength reduction in a rock after soaking (Morgenstern and Eigenbrod (1974) J. Geotech. Eng. Div., ASCE 101), and is an important parameter in slope stability (Yilmaz and Kalacan (2005) Env. Geol. 47, 7).