Large ice-contact slope movements : glacial buttressing, deformation and erosion

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
To test the hypothesis that destabilized ice-contact slopes can move and deform glacier ice, simple equations for estimating the necessary conditions for, and movement rate of, ice-contact slope movements are tested with field evidence from New Zealand. Narrowing or squeezing of glaciers adjacent to unstable rock slopes is demonstrated and considered to be the result of slope movement. For one site, geomorphic mapping and slope movement monitoring data show that movement rates are of similar order of magnitude to those predicted by the viscous equations; closer agreement could be achieved with the application of modelling techniques. This research implies that, while the concept of glacial debuttressing – the reduction of slope support from withdrawal of glaciers – is valid, complete debuttressing is not a prerequisite for the movement of ice-contact rock slopes. These slope movements may contribute to the erosional processes of glaciers and the evolution of glaciated slopes in a previously unrecognized way.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2013, vol. 38, n°. 10, p. 1102-1115, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2013

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