The distribution of permafrost in rock glaciers of the southern Alps (France)
Results of electrical resistivity surveys performed on ten rock glaciers in the southern Alps, in the summer of 1986. The conclusion that these rock glaciers are essentially inherited forms, testifying the passage of recent cold periods
, is confirmed by the discovery on three sites of rock glaciers with a heterogeneous structure, a thawed central part and an accumulation of ice at the snout. It suggests that the rock glaciers in the southern Alps were formed, for the most part, during
Developments in a non-destructive method of determining rock strength
The results presented here confirm the use of the ultrasonic apparatus as a technique for indirectly determining rock strength by determining Dynamic Young's Modulus. The results also indicate that the ultrasonic apparatus can be used as a field
The form of rock slopes in tropical limestone and their associations with rock mass strength
à l'intérieur de ce continuum, mise en évidence de l'importance des propriétés de rock mass spécifique en déterminant des variations spatiales de forme de versant.
Daytime rock surface temperature variability and its implications for mechanical rock weathering : Tenerife, Canary islands
Rock surface temperature measurements are presented from three sites on the arid to semi-arid southern slopes of Tenerife. The sites were selected to represent a climatic gradient from sea-level to high altitude and measurements were collected under
Morphology, sedimentological characteristics and origin of a fossil rock glacier on Muckish Mountain, northwest Ireland
A large talus-foot debris accumulation on Muckish Mountain is interpreted as a fossil rock glacier rather than a glacial moraine as previously suggested. Sedimentological characteristics indicate that the debris accumulated initially as talus. Rock
glacier flow probably occurred due to the deformation of interstitial ice and ice lenses. The major stages in the development of the fossil rock glacier are outlined in a simple model.
The hydrological response of soil surfaces to rainfall as affected by cover and position of rock fragments in the top layer
Rainfall experiments have been conducted in laboratory in order to assess the hydrological of top soils very susceptible to surface sealing and containing rock fragments in different positions with respect to the soil surface. For a given cover
level, rock fragment position in the top soil has an ambivalent effect on water intake and runoff generation. The effects of rock fragment position on infiltration rate and runoff generation are proportional to cover percentage. A simple model, based
on the proportions of bare soil surface, soil surface occupied by embedded rock fragments, and soil surface covered with rock fragments resting on the soil surface, describes the runoff coefficient data relatively well.
Fluvial dynamics of thorium-230 in the Church Rock event, Puerco River, New Mexico
The purpose of this paper is to characterize the transport and storage of contaminants resulting from a dam-burst flood at a tailings pond near Church Rock, New Mexico. The method of explanation is to explore the spatial distribution and fluvial
Factors that interfere with the age determination of rock varnish
Discussion of the potential of rock varnish as a Quaternary dating technique for geomorphical and archaeological studies. New backscattered electron microscopy imagery of varnishes from southwestern North America illustrates the need for great
Rock mass strength as a control of slope development : evidence from Southern Africa
Rock Mass Strenght (RMS) theory is examined to quantify some of the factors involved in the development slope angles. Contrasting slope development profiles are related to RMS ratings and critical levels are identified. Classic slope decline
The shape of rock particles and their distribution on debris slopes in a semi-arid environment
Spherical rock particles increase in number downslope relative to non-spherical particles. This increase is very pronounced for spherical particles in excess of 500 mm in diameter. The reasons for this phenomenon are examined. - (AJC)
Rock slope development in McMurdo Oasis, Antarctica, and implications for interpretations of glacial history
Two methods of study have been used : (1) assessments of the mass strength of rock units forming the slopes, using the method of Selby (1980) and the data plotting method and definition of the strength equilibrium envelope of Abrahams and Parsons
(1987)| and (2), construction of a finite-element model with which to assess the stress regime within the rock bodies of Mounts Thor and Circe.
Biogenic action;Biogenic process ; Crystalline rocks ; Vegetation ; Weathering
Evidence is presented suggesting that micro-vegetation, notably lichens, substantially influences the weathering of the material on which it grows. Changes on two rock types are examined in order to assess the role of lichens in the mechanical
This paper describes a series of experiments designed to isolate the effects of minimum temperature, rate of freezing, and salt concentration on the breakdown of rocks immersed in distilled water or salt solutions of varying strength. Discussion
Ferromanganese rock varnish in north Norway : a subglacial origin
A thin, dark brown rock varnish is described from ice-smoothed bedrock on the forefield of a glacier in North Norway. Glacier retreat rates indicate that the varnish has remained exposed subaerially at the surface for about twenty years, and its