Aspect-controlled weathering Observed on a blockfield in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Southern African geomorphology : looking back, moving forward

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
As part of research into the morphology and characterisation of a blockfield located on the Northern Buttress of the Vesleskarvet Nunataks, Western Dronning Maud Land, this paper investigates the influence that aspect has on weathering for a blockfield, using data collected during the 2009-2012 Austral summer seasons. Proxy data recorded for weathering included rock hardness rebound values as well as visual evidence of flaking, pitting, surface roughness and lichen presence. Aspect was found to affect weathering of blockfield samples across the study site, with the south-facing sides being the least weathered of the directional aspects. This paper argues that a higher radiation budget associated with slope aspect and angle could drive thermal regimes and subsequent weathering of clast faces. Furthermore, in the absence of abundant precipitation, ice and snow cover become the primary source of moisture in this high-latitude Antarctic environment.


Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Geografiska annaler. Series A. Physical geography, issn : 0435-3676, 2013, vol. 95, n°. 4, p. 305-313, nombre de pages : 9, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Suede, Stockholm, Svenska sällskapet för antropologi och geografi