A Model for Sorted Patterned-Ground Regularity

Ray, Roderick J.; Krantz, William B.; Caine, T. N.; Gunn, R.D.

doi:10.3189/s0022143000008376

Cited by 26 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Squares mark sorted circles and polygons investigated in the present study. Crosses are 67 previously published values for sorted circles and polygons found in Troll (), Furrer (), Henderson (), Freund (), Ellenberg (), Ballantyne and Matthews (), Ray et al (), Gleason et al (), Wilson and Clark (), Wilson (), Ballantyne and Harris (), Love (), Kück (), Grab (, ), Humlum and Christiansen (), Holness () and collected by other personal observations on two small‐scale patterns located on an LIA moraine in the Petuniabukta area. The dashed lines define theoretical limits of pattern diameter‐to‐sorting depth ratios (3.1–3.8), based on model predictions (e.g.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 90%

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Effect of Climate on Morphology and Development of Sorted Circles and Polygons

Uxa

Mida

Křížek

2017

Permafrost & Periglacial

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Sorted circles and polygons are widespread features of periglacial landscapes, but the controls on their development remain poorly understood, impeding their use as palaeoenvironmental indicators. We investigate the relationship of sorted circles and polygons to altitude in the northern Billefjorden area, central Svalbard. The patterns occur in two distinct elevation zones, below 200–250 m asl and above 600 m asl. The higher‐elevated patterns have smaller diameters and shallower sorting depths due to a thinner active layer at higher elevations, suggesting that sorted patterns can indicate climate conditions and ground thermal state when the patterns initiated. Geology is believed to be of less importance for pattern morphology in the study area, causing only its fine‐scale variations. The pattern diameter‐to‐sorting depth ratios have a median value of 3.57, consistent with previous studies and theoretical models of patterned‐ground formation involving circulation mechanisms. Large‐scale sorted patterns may develop over centennial timescales in this high‐Arctic environment. They are probably not in equilibrium with present‐day climate conditions and have probably formed throughout the Holocene. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…The dashed lines define theoretical limits of pattern diameter‐to‐sorting depth ratios (3.1–3.8), based on model predictions (e.g. Ray et al , ; Gleason et al , ; Hallet and Prestrud, ). Although the individual data points are scattered around the theoretical limits, the general strength of the relationship is remarkable.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Climate on Morphology and Development of Sorted Circles and Polygons

Uxa

Mida

Křížek

2017

Permafrost & Periglacial

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“…Furthermore, the presence of sorted, hexagonal patterned ground with borders of stones and sorted stripes within the inter‐drumlin depressions (Fig. a) suggests that following the recession of the SGS‐3 glaciation, permafrost conditions prevailed in the study area (Ray et al ., ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors responsible for driving the glaciation in the Sarchu Plain, eastern Zanskar Himalaya, during the late Quaternary

Sharma

Chand

Bisht

et al. 2016

J Quaternary Science

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Detailed geomorphological investigation supported by field stratigraphy and optical dating enabled us to identify three major events of glaciation in the eastern Zanskar Himalaya (Sarchu Plain). The oldest and most extensive glaciation is the Sarchu Glaciation Stage‐1 (SGS‐1) that pre‐dates the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and is assigned to the cold and wet Marine Isotope Stage‐4 (MIS‐4). The second glacial advance (SGS‐2) is optically dated to ∼20 ka and the youngest SGS‐3 is assigned to the 8.2 ka cooling event. Evidence of deglaciation is preserved as outwash terrace gravels and is assigned to the pluvial MIS‐3 and the early Holocene (∼9 ka). Increased strength of westerlies (winter precipitation) and associated temperature decline were responsible for driving the glaciation in the study area, a conclusion that accords well with modern meteorological data showing a reasonable correlation between the modern equilibrium line altitude, enhanced mid‐latitude westerlies (winter precipitation) and winter temperatures. The phases of deglaciation occurred during periods of warmer climatic excursions. Overall a broad correspondence between the Sarchu Plain glaciation phases and northern latitude ice sheet dynamics is suggested, implying that the glaciers in the trajectory of the mid‐latitude westerlies are likely to respond in phase with northern latitude glaciation.

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“…As a consequence, SPG can occur in a wide range of environments on the Earth. In addition to ice motion relative to the soil, systematic soil motion induced by frost action can play an important role, especially for larger, meter-scale sorted patterns (Ray et al, 1983;Hallet and Waddington, 1992;Peterson and Krantz, 2003;Hallet, 2013;Kääb et al, 2014). No single sorting process (called 'frost sorting' in the following) applies to all types of SPG.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory frost sorting by needle ice: a pilot experiment on the effects of stone size and extent of surface stone cover

Yamagishi

Matsuoka

2014

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Sorted patterned ground is ubiquitous where gravelly fine soil experiences freeze–thaw cycles, but experimental studies have rarely been successful in reproducing such patterns. This article reports an attempt to reproduce miniature sorted patterns by repeating needle‐ice formation, which simulates frost sorting in regions dominated by diurnal freeze–thaw cycles. Six full‐scale laboratory models were tested. They consisted of near‐saturated volcanic fine soil topped by small stones of uniform size; the models explored a range of stone size (~6, ~12, ~17 and ~22 mm) and surface abundance (20, 40 and 60% cover). The stones were placed in a grid on the surface. These models were subjected to 20–30 temperature excursions between 10 °C and −5 °C in 12 hours. The evolution of surface patterns were visually traced by photogrammetry. A data logging system continuously monitored vertical soil displacements, soil temperatures and moistures at different depths. All experimental runs displayed needle‐ice formation (2–3 cm in height) and resulting displacement of stones. The soil domains tended to heave faster and higher than the stones, leading to outward movement of the former and concentration of the stones. In plan view, smaller stones showed relatively fast and long‐lasting movements, while larger stones stabilized after the first five cycles. The 20% stone cover produced stone islands, whereas the 40% cover resulted in sorted labyrinths (a circle‐island complex) that may represent incipient sorted circles. The average diameter or spacing of these forms are 12–13 cm, being comparable to those in the field. The experiments imply that needle‐ice activity promotes rapid formation of sorted patterns, although the formation of well‐defined sorted circles may require hundreds of diurnal frost heave cycles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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A Model for Sorted Patterned-Ground Regularity

Cited by 26 publications

References 12 publications

Effect of Climate on Morphology and Development of Sorted Circles and Polygons

Effect of Climate on Morphology and Development of Sorted Circles and Polygons

Factors responsible for driving the glaciation in the Sarchu Plain, eastern Zanskar Himalaya, during the late Quaternary

Laboratory frost sorting by needle ice: a pilot experiment on the effects of stone size and extent of surface stone cover

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