Solifluction: A Model Experiment

Higashi, Akira; Corte, Arturo E.

doi:10.1126/science.171.3970.480

Cited by 71 publications

(51 citation statements)

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“…The surface velocity is linearly correlated with the parameter Σ H tan 2 θ (Figure 11b), which may be explained by the experimental result that needle-ice creep is proportional to tan 2 θ (Higashi and Corte, 1971). In an earlier report, Matsuoka (1998a) derived an empirical relation, V S = 3·0 Σ H tan 2 θ, using data from Aino-1 and 3.…”

Section: Controls On Spatial Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 87%

Temporal and spatial variations in periglacial soil movements on alpine crest slopes

Matsuoka

2005

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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This paper describes up to ten years of continuous monitoring of frost heave, creep and associated parameters on high mountain crest slopes in the Japanese and Swiss Alps, aiming to evaluate spatial and interannual variations in the rates and controls of soil movement. Shallow frost creep reflecting diurnal frost heave activity dominates the crest slopes that lack a vegetation mat and have a thin debris mantle with good drainage. Seasonal frost heave activity can induce slightly deeper movement where fine soil exists below the depth reached by diurnal freeze-thaw penetration, although the shallow bedrock impedes movements below 20 cm depth. As a result, downslope velocity profiles display strong concavity with surface velocities of 2-50 cm a − − − − −1 . The frost creep rates vary spatially, depending on the soil texture, slope gradient, frequency of temperature cycling across 0°C and moisture availability during freeze-thaw periods. Soil movements recur in every freeze-thaw period, although with some interannual variations affected by the length of seasonal snow cover and the occurrence of precipitation during freeze-thaw periods. The Swiss Alps encounter more significant interannual variations than the Japanese Alps, reflecting the large variability of the annual snow regime.

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Section: Controls On Spatial Variabilitymentioning

confidence: 87%

Temporal and spatial variations in periglacial soil movements on alpine crest slopes

Matsuoka

2005

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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“…Based on absolute t-values, slope angle is the second most important control of movement rates for all soil textures combined and for fine sections, and the most important control in stony and blocky areas. Field studies of clast transport by needle ice by Mackay and Mathews (1974) and Pérez (1987a), and laboratory studies by Higashi and Corté (1971), have shown that clast movement rates are dependent on slope gradients, with more rapid movement occurring on steeper slopes. In contrast, previous studies from the Subantarctic (Smith, 1960;Walton and Heilbronn, 1983;Selkirk, 1998) have failed to identify a clear relationship between slope angle and sediment movement rate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Sediment movement rates and processes on cinder cones in the maritime Subantarctic (Marion Island)

Holness

2004

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Sediment transport in the scoria areas of Marion Island is primarily the result of needle-ice-induced frost creep associated with diurnal soil frost cycles. Clasts move most rapidly in fine textured areas (532 mm a −1 ; SD 382), more slowly in stony areas (161 mm a −1 ; SD 179), and most slowly in blocky areas (26 mm a −1 ; SD 23). Movement rates increase with increasing frost susceptibility of sediments, slope angle and altitude. The heave of dowels indicates that frost heave is active in all the scoria areas examined. The depth of effective frost heave increases with increasing altitude, with frost heave being restricted to the upper 100 mm of the soil in low altitude areas (<200 m). The heave of 150 mm dowels at the higher altitude sites provides evidence for segregation ice formation at depths greater than those associated with needle ice and diurnal soil frost cycles. Vertical movement profiles show a concave downslope profile, with sediment movement rates being most rapid at the soil surface and decreasing rapidly with depth. This profile shape is typical of areas dominated by diurnal freeze-thaw cycles and needle ice. The capture of sediments moving downslope in troughs and the sampling of material lifted by needle ice, suggest that sediment transport by needle ice under present conditions is extremely effective. Observations suggest that although both fine material and clasts are transported downslope, some preferential transport of clasts occurs.Experiment results and observations of soil frost processes suggest that frost creep associated with needle ice activity is the dominant slope process in the scoria areas of Marion Island. Other slope processes such as slopewash and debris flows appear to play a relatively minor and localized role in sediment transport. It is suggested that needle ice activity is likely to be the dominant geomorphic agent in other areas of the Subantarctic with similar climatic characteristics to Marion Island.

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“…From these three different models, that of Higashi and Corte (1971) best matches the 10 mm of downslope movement measured from the marker pen in the time lapse photographs. Matsuoka (1998) also found that Equation (2) best predicted downslope movement in his study on frost creep in the Japanese Alps.…”

Section: Short-term Observationsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…This equation assumes that as the needle ice melts, the clast drops vertically to the surface. Through laboratory experiments, Higashi and Corte (1971) found that as the needle ice melted, clasts fell, rolled, and slid downslope instead of dropping vertically and settling. They formulated the equation:…”

Section: Short-term Observationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short-term Periglacial Processes, Vegetation Succession, and Soil Development within Sorted Patterned Ground: Jotunheimen, Norway

Haugland

2006

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research

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Solifluction: A Model Experiment

Cited by 71 publications

References 1 publication

Temporal and spatial variations in periglacial soil movements on alpine crest slopes

Temporal and spatial variations in periglacial soil movements on alpine crest slopes

Sediment movement rates and processes on cinder cones in the maritime Subantarctic (Marion Island)

Short-term Periglacial Processes, Vegetation Succession, and Soil Development within Sorted Patterned Ground: Jotunheimen, Norway

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