Exploring steep bedrock permafrost and its relationship with recent slope failures in the Southern Alps of New Zealand

The Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN). Special issue

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

ALLEN, S.K.

Dep. of Geography, Univ. Canterbury, Christchurch, Nouvelle-Zelande

GRUBER, S.

Glaciology, Geomorphodynamics and Geochronology, Dep. of Geography, Univ., Zurich, Suisse

OWENS, I.F.

Dep. of Geography, Univ. Canterbury, Christchurch, Nouvelle-Zelande

LEWKOWICZ, A.

Univ., Ottawa, Canada

Description :
The central region of New Zealand's Southern Alps is characterised by steep, glaciated slopes prone to rock mass failure. A network of 15 dataloggers was used to record near-surface temperatures on steep rock walls located about the Main Divide of the Alps and further leeward where the climate is much drier. Here, the first results from this study are presented and a modelling approach relating permafrost distribution in steep rock walls to potential solar radiation is described. Rock temperatures characterising failure zones from recent slope instabilities in the region are then explored, providing a basis for ongoing studies and discussion.

Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Permafrost and periglacial processes, issn : 1045-6740, 2009, vol. 20, n°. 4, p. 345-356, nombre de pages : 12, Références bibliographiques : 1,5 p.

Date :
2009

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley

Langue :
Anglais