The role of rock surface hardness and internal moisture in tafoni development in sandstone

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

MOL, L.

School of Geography and the Environment, Univ., Oxford, Royaume-Uni

VILES, H.A.

School of Geography and the Environment, Univ., Oxford, Royaume-Uni

School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, Univ. of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud

Description :
In this study, Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT) has been used to map moisture distribution within inner walls of tafoni developed in sandstone, and an Equotip device used to measure rock surface hardness as a proxy measure of the degree of weathering and case hardening. Seven large tafoni in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park (South Africa), varying in size and degree of development have been monitored. A dynamic relationship between surface hardness, degree of weathering and internal moisture regimes has been found. The AA. propose a new conceptual model which illustrates the complex interaction between case hardening and internal moisture and suggests a new direction for cavernous weathering research.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2012, vol. 37, n°. 3, p. 301-314, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 63 ref.

Date :
2012

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

Langue :
Anglais