The shapes of cold, high mountains in sedimentary rocks

Terzaghi (Geotechnique 12 (1962) 251) and Young (Young, A., 1972. Slopes. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 288 pp.) described the stable forms of slopes in sedimentary rock masses, assuming penetrative discontinuities, which are parallel to bedding and joints which are perpendicular to bedding. The only movements considered were slides along bedding. Experience in the Canadian Rockies indicates that the cohesionless rock masses that exist at or above tree line may also move by toppling, buckling and sliding along joints. These processes also act to limit the inclinations of stable slopes. Rock strength is a factor in the critical height of a slope that buckles. The processes can be represented as fields on a process diagram, a plot of slope inclination against bedding dip, using the basic friction angles of the rocks present.The process diagram also separates five common mountain peak shapes, which form on homoclinal sequences of beds. Castellate and Matterhorn mountains occur in sub-horizontal beds, cuestas develop in gently to moderately dipping beds. Hogbacks formed in moderately to steeply dipping beds have similar slope angles on both cataclinal and anaclinal slopes. Dogtooth mountains occur in steeply dipping sub-vertical beds.     

Influence of Bedding Dip on Glacial Erosional Landforms,Uinta Mountains,USA

We explore the relationships amongst bedding dip, basin aspect, and glacial landforms using field observations and GIS analyses of the northwestern Uinta Mountains of Utah. We examine basins on opposing sides of three ice divides in which quartzite beds of the Mount Watson Formation maintain a near constant dip. These areas provide contrasting relationships between ice flow and bedding dip directions while holding rock type and climate constant. We map the occurrence of three glacial erosional landforms: cliffs showing evidence of quarrying, scoured surfaces polished by abrasion, and overdeepenings. Cliffs and overdeepenings are more common in basins where bedding dips up‐basin, while scoured surfaces are more prevalent where bedding dips down‐basin. The significance of jointing in controlling glacial erosional forms is well established and we propose that bedding, as well as joints, dictates the geometry of quarried blocks and influences the spatial patterns of process dominance. Where bedding dips up‐basin, the geometry of pre‐existing weaknesses favours quarrying creating both cliffs and overdeepenings. In contrast, where bedding dips down‐basin, block geometry does not favour the creation of overdeepenings via quarrying and exposed bedding planes are subjected to glacial abrasion, producing scoured surfaces.     

金龙山地区斜坡滑动优势面分析

据优势面分析原理和方法,对金龙山地区斜坡各种结构面所作的优势面分析结果显示:浅层强风化岩体中顺坡向剪切裂隙,是控制浅层顺层滑坡发生发展的滑动优势面;深层弱风化岩体中粘土岩风化软弱夹层、斜坡上段拉张裂隙与斜坡下段顺坡向剪切裂隙三者相组合,是控制深层顺层滑坡发生的滑动优势面。当地受滑动优势面控制的滑坡变形破坏模式有:浅层为蠕滑—拉裂,深层为滑移—弯曲。     

Hypsometric Analysis of Headwater Rock Basins in the Dolomites (Eastern Alps) Using High‐Resolution Topography

Hypsometric curves and integrals are effective tools for rapid quantitative assessments of topography. High‐resolution digital terrain models derived from airborne LiDAR data have been analysed to study the hypsometry of small headwater rock basins (drainage areas up to 0.13 km²) in three study areas in the Dolomites (Eastern Alps) that have similar lithologies and climatic conditions. Hypsometric curves in the studied rocky headwaters display a variety of shapes and present remarkable differences between neighbouring basins. Hypsometric integrals show generally high values in the three study areas (>0.42, mean values between 0.51 and 0.65). The extent of the scree slopes located at the foot of rock basins in the three study areas is larger in the area with lower hypsometric integrals and indicates consistency between the development of basin erosion, which is shown by the hypsometric integral, and debris yield, represented by the extent of scree slope. No clear relations were observed between the hypsometric integrals and basin area and shape. When extending the analysis to larger basins, which encompass rocky headwaters and downslope soil‐mantled slopes, a negative correlation is found between the hypsometric integral and catchment area, suggesting that the scale independency of the hypsometric integral occurs essentially in headwater rock basins. Geomorphometric indices (residual relief and surface roughness) have contributed to interpreting the variability of surface morphology, which is related to the geo‐structural complexity of the catchments.     

The landslide response of alpine basins to post-Little Ice Age glacial thinning and retreat in southwestern British Columbia

The role of post-Little Ice Age (LIA) Neoglacial retreat on landslide activity is investigated in 19 alpine basins along the upper Lillooet River Valley, British Columbia. We examine how Neoglacial scouring and glacial recession have modified hillslope form and slope stability, and construct a decision-making flowchart to identify landslide hazards associated with glacial retreat. This work is based on field mapping, GIS analysis, statistical associations between landslides and terrain attributes, and a comparison between Neoglaciated and non-Neoglaciated terrain within each basin.The bedrock landslide response to glacial retreat varies appreciably according to lithology and the extent of glacial scour below the LIA trimline. Valleys carved in weak Quaternary volcanics show significant erosional oversteepening and contain deep-seated slope movement features, active rock fall, rock slides, and rock avalanches near glacial trimlines. Basins in stronger granitic rock rarely show increased bedrock instability resulting from post-LIA retreat, except for shallow-seated rock slides along some trimlines and failures on previously unstable slopes. In surficial materials, landslides associated with post-LIA retreat originate in till or colluvium, as debris slides or debris avalanches, and are concentrated along lateral moraines or glacial trimlines.Significant spatial association was also observed between recent catastrophic failures, gravitational slope deformation, and slopes that were oversteepened then debuttressed by glacial erosion. Eight out of nine catastrophic rock slope failures occurred just above glacial trimlines and all occurred in areas with a previous history of deep-seated gravitational slope movement, implying that this type of deformation is a precursor to catastrophic detachment.     

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF TALUS ACTIVITY – A LICHENOMETRIC APPROACH IN THE STUBAIER ALPS,AUSTRIA

Lichenometric measurements using Rhizocarpon ssp. were carried out on 20 talus slopes in the cirques of the Finstertal valley (Austria) at an elevation of 2300–3000 m a.s.l. The aim was to assess activity patterns on selected slopes and between the slopes of the study area, to find evidence of rockfall pulses in the last centuries and to calculate rockwall retreat rates. A calibration curve was derived from five sites of known age and adapted to the prevailing size of talus boulders. We measured the five largest lichens on more than 300 boulders and the percentage coverage of Rhizocarpon‐free clasts on more than 1000 test fields. Most of the investigated talus cones are characterized by moderate rockfall supply, with the apex being more active than the talus foot and moderate redistribution by avalanche and debris flows. Considerably enhanced activity was found under rockwalls influenced by permafrost, particularly on the north faces at an elevation of >2600 m a.s.l. At currently moderately active sites, boulder falls seem to have been slightly more frequent in the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. In positions where permafrost is expected in the rockwalls, a weak maximum in the late nineteenth century and highly active present‐day conditions were found, the latter being assigned to current permafrost melt. Rockwall retreat rates derived from lichen coverage are between 400 and 1500 mm/ka which is in good concurrence with talus volume assessments, but higher than the rates derived from direct rockfall measurements. The rates derived from lichen coverage have to be taken with caution as the effects of debris redistribution are hard to quantify.     

Allometric development of glacial cirque form: Geological, relief and regional effects on the cirques of Wales

Headward and downward erosion near glacier sources, at rates exceeding fluvial erosion, is important in recent discussions of orogen development and the limits to relief. This relates to a long history of debate on how the form of glacial cirques develops, which can be advanced by relating shape to size in large data sets. For 260 cirques in Wales, this confirms different rates of enlargement in the three dimensions: faster in length than in width, and slower in vertical dimension whether expressed as overall height range, axial height range or wall height. Maximum gradient, plan closure and number of cols increase with overall size. This allometric development applies over different cirque types, regions and rock types. Headwall retreat, often by collapse following glacial erosion at the base, is faster than downward erosion. Welsh cirques form a scale-specific population and, as in other regions, size variables follow Gaussian distributions on a logarithmic scale. As in England, width commonly exceeds length. Vertical dimensions correlate with length more than with width. Cirque form varies with geology, but also with relief as both vary between mountain groups. The main contrast is between larger, better-developed cirques and higher relief on volcanic rocks in the north-west, and smaller, less-developed cirques and lower relief on sedimentary rocks in the south.     

GIS支持下滑坡斜坡类型定量化及制图研究

斜坡类型描述岩层产状与斜坡的角度关系,很大程度上决定了斜坡岩土体变形的方式和强度,对地质灾害分布具有重要作用。斜坡的顺向坡、反向坡与地形的阳坡、阴坡概念相似,可以利用改进的太阳辐射地形因子计算模型(TOBIA指数)对斜坡类型进行定量化表达。计算TOBIA指数需要斜坡坡度、坡向、岩层倾角、倾向4个参数。以三峡库区顺向坡基岩滑坡多发地段青干河流域为例,通过区域地质图上产状点获取离散岩层倾角和倾向数值,经空间插值得到空间连续分布的倾角和倾向参数;通过数字高程模型获取坡度和坡向参数,得到区内TOBIA指数分布。在此基础上进一步研究指数和滑坡发育关系。结果表明,TOBIA指数值与区内斜坡类型密切相关,根据TOBIA指数值能很好地区分斜坡类型。以二分类变量逻辑回归模型对坡度和指数两个变量进行分析,发现引入TOBIA指数后,回归模型对已知滑坡拟合度由55%提高到71.5%,能有效提高区域滑坡灾害危险性区划结果精度。     

双坡面临空岩质边坡滑动破坏模式下的稳定性分析

多数岩质边坡稳定性分析已基本解决了常走向单坡面临空的边坡平面滑动问题。然而,在路堑边坡工程和自然边坡中有很多边坡坡面并不是平面,它包含多个坡面。多坡面边坡包含两个或多个不同走向的坡面。多坡面边坡几何特征不同于单坡面边坡,所以滑动条件也不一样。在赤平投影图上,多坡面的滑动包络线是组成边坡的每个坡面单独投影包络线的组合。为了探讨方便,只讨论了双坡面临空岩质边坡的滑动破坏模式,并将其分为双坡面临空下的平面破坏和楔形体破坏。在赤平投影图上,双坡面滑动区域定义为双坡面边坡滑动包络图中两侧坡面的真倾线之间的面积。如果有一两个节理面真倾向线落在滑动区内,滑动破坏才可能发生。     

Morphometric Analysis on the Size, Shape and Areal Distribution of Glacial Cirques in the Maritime Alps (Western French-Italian Alps)

The morphometry of 432 glacial cirques in the Maritime Alps (Western French‐Italian Alps), studied over several years of fieldwork, was analysed with the use of a geographical information system. Some of the parameters automatically evaluated from digital elevation models required an objective and relatively new definition. In particular, cirque length was measured along a line that, from the threshold midpoint, splits the cirque into two equivalent surfaces; cirque width was automatically drawn as the longest line inscribed in the cirque and perpendicular to the length line. Significant correlations were found among the different factors and parameters analysed. In particular, cirque shape analysis showed that cirques develop allometrically in the three dimensions, i.e. more in length and width than in altitudinal range. Nevertheless cirques of the Maritime Alps have a regular, almost circular shape (mean L/W value = 1.07). The correlations among length, width and area are all very high (r²= 0.8–0.9). In terms of size, cirques show a wide range in area from 0.06 to 5.2 km² with a mean value of 0.4 km². The largest cirques are found on SSW‐facing slopes and at high elevations. Small cirques can be found at all altitudes but all those at high elevation are part of compound cirques at the main head valleys. Most cirques (37%) are characterized by a northern aspect; NE and SW are also frequent directions.     

顺层岩质边坡顺层滑动岩体范围分析

顺层滑移-拉裂是顺层岩质边坡中常见的一种破坏模式,顺层滑动岩体范围大小是该类边坡稳定性分析及其加固支挡结构设计的基础,是设计人员最关心的问题。考虑边坡开挖卸荷效应对边坡岩体力学参数的影响,建立了顺层岩质边坡顺层滑动岩体范围的计算式,利用重庆至怀化铁路沿线顺层岩质路堑边坡失稳破坏的调查资料进行对比分析,结果吻合较好。     

Supraglacial Debris Supply in the Cuerpo de Hombre paleoglacier (Spanish Central System): Reconstruction and Interpretation of a Rock Avalanche Event

During the deglaciation stages of the last glacial period a rock avalanche took place on the glacier that occupied the upper sector of the Cuerpo de Hombre Valley (Sierra de Béjar). The material displaced during the avalanche fell onto the ice, was transported by the glacier and later deposited as supraglacial ablation till. The cause of the avalanche was the decompression of the valley slopes after they were freed from the glacier ice (stress relaxation). Reconstruction of the ice masses has been carried out to quantify the stress relaxation that produced the collapse. The rock avalanche took place on a lithologically homogeneous slope with a dense fracture network. The avalanche left a 0.4 ha scar on the slope with a volume of displaced material of 623 ± 15 × 10³ m³. The deposit is an accumulation of large, angular, heterometric boulders (1–100 m³ in volume) with a coarse pebble‐size matrix. The avalanche can be explained as a relaxation process. This implies rock decompression once the glacier retreat left the wall ice free (debuttressing). Calculations show that the avalanche took place where the decompression stresses were highest (130–170 kPa). In the Spanish Central System paleoglaciers the largest accumulation of morainic deposits occurred after the glacial maximum and the earliest stages of the ice retreat. The process described here is used as an example to formulate a hypothesis that the largest accumulations of tills were formed in relation to enhanced slope dynamics once some glacier retreat had occurred.     

Influence of structural framework on mountain slope deformation in the Maiella anticline (Central Apennines, Italy)

Relationships between tectonic framework and gravity-driven phenomena have been investigated in an area of the Central Apennines (Italy) characterised by high relief. The north–south, half-dome shaped Maiella anticline lies in the easternmost part of the Apennine fold-and-thrust belt. Its backlimb is bordered by the Caramanico Fault, a normal fault with a maximum downthrown of about 3.5 km that separates the western slope of the Maiella Massif from the Caramanico Valley. The southwestern Maiella area is affected by deep-seated gravitational slope deformation indicated by major double crest lines, down-hill and up-hill facing scarps, a pattern of crossing trenches, bulging at the base of slopes and the presence of different types of landslide and talus slope deposits.The onset and development of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations and the location of Quaternary, massive rockslope failures have been strongly influenced by the structural framework and tectonic pattern of the anticline. Deep-seated gravitational slope deformation at Mt. Macellaro–Mt. Amaro ridge has developed along the Maiella western, reverse slope in correspondence with the anticline axial culmination; it is bordered at the rear by a NNW–SSE oriented, dextral, strike-slip fault zone and has an E–W direction of rock mass deformation. Closer to the southern plunging area of the anticline, gravity-driven phenomena show instead a N–S and NW–SE direction, influenced by bedding attitude.3D topographic models illustrate the relationship between deep-seated gravitational slope deformation and massive rockslope failures. The Campo di Giove rock avalanche, a huge Quaternary failure event, was the result of an instantaneous collapse on a mountaine slope affected by a long-term gravity-driven deformation.     

Topography of a composite relict rock glacier, Ślęża Massif, SW Poland

A detailed geodetic survey and, additionally, a map of slope covers have been carried out for a composite relict rock glacier on the slopes of Mt ?l??a (718 m a.s.l.), Sudetic Foreland, SW Poland. The survey allows one to distinguish the mobilisation, transition and accumulation zones and to define geomorphic features diagnostic for relict rock glaciers such as lateral ridges standing above a central depression, steep margins of the landforms in the transition and accumulation zones, as well as absence of distinct head scarps above. Furthermore, it indicates that the present‐day hydrographic pattern on the surface of relict rock glaciers has been superimposed on the relief inherited from the active landforms. The topography indicates that tension prevailed rather than compression during the development of the rock glaciers. Some of the features, such as small lateral lobes, developed probably as a result of the compressive flow, however. The pattern of the slope cover shows that it developed during activity of the rock glaciers and been modified afterwards due to solifluction.     

Effects of environmental change on scree slope development throughout the postglacial period in the Chic-Choc Mountains in the northern Gaspé Peninsula, Québec

The combined study of present-day processes and stratigraphic data, has permitted the reconstruction of the dynamics of scree slopes of the northern Gaspé Peninsula throughout the postglacial period. In this region, liberated progressively from beneath an ice cover between 13,500 and 10,000 years BP, the scree slopes have to be seen as an integral part of a regional geosystem. Evolution of these slopes has been rapid, influenced by local paraglacial conditions (glacio-isostatic rebound, glacio-eustatic fluctuations, and re-equilibration of glacially over-steepened rockwalls) which operated against a backdrop of Late Glacial and Holocene climatic fluctuations. During the Younger Dryas and part of the Early Holocene period, as the foot slopes emerged from beneath the Goldthwait Sea, the basal part of several scree slopes advanced onto marine terraces as lobate rock glaciers, under the influence of a periglacial climate, characterised by permafrost. Many scree slopes continued to transfer debris downslope after regional establishment of a closed forest cover at ca. 7250 years BP. Forest colonisation in the early pre-emergent phase of the postglacial period was retarded, due to constant replenishment of the debris removed from the foot slopes by marine processes. In the later post-emergent phase, development of a complete forest cover has only been possible on slopes where the summit rockwall segment has been completely eliminated, a condition not yet fulfilled for many geomorphologically active scree slopes of the region. In fact, both of these paraglacial influences have been diachronous on a regional scale. Advance upslope of the forest front on the scree slopes appears to have been slow, difficult and subject to periodic regressions of possible climatic origin, as indicated by numerous buried soils in colluvial stratigraphic sequences, and for the past 150 years by dendro-ecological studies. Stratigraphic exposures, along with direct observation of slope events, have revealed the operation of a large variety of debris transfer processes, including niveo-aeolian sedimentation and frost-coated clast flows, the latter representing an important process first recognised on the scree slopes of Gaspésie.     

PARTICLE SIZE AND SHAPE VARIATION ON ALPINE DEBRIS FANS,CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAINS

Much of the previous research on mountain debris slopes has focused on slopes of avalanche and, especially, rockfall origin. This study examines particle size and shape variation on some debris fans formed by rockfall, snow avalanches, and stream-debris flow on dissected rockwalls. The particle size and shape data are derived from the lengths of the 3 principal axes of 50 particles sampled at 152 stops on 24 transects. The analysis of these data indicates that variation in particle shape is a function of source rock lithology while particle size varies according to the process of coarse debris transfer. Most of the size variation occurs at the sampling stops and among stops within transects. Size means and variances differ according to process for samples not affected by stream-debris flow. Second-order polynomial regressions depict the longitudinal size sorting produced by each process and reflect the unique nature of debris transfer on dissected rockwalls, where rockfall is impeded and debris is sequentially or simultaneously subject to gravitational and boundary shear stresses.     

Rock slope failure and landscape evolution in the Caledonian Mountains, as exemplified in the Abisko area, northern Sweden

Paraglacial rock slope failure (RSF) is here studied as a locally major contributor to mountain landscape evolution in the Caledonian ranges. Dense RSF clusters exist in Scotland and Norway, but overall RSF distribution in Scandinavia is poorly known. In the Abisko area, air photo scrutiny confirms the reported incidence of sparse but significant RSF. In the Kärkevagge complex, the Rissa RSF is one of the largest in northern Europe, with a scar volume of 42 Mm3. The well–known Giant Boulder Deposit (GBD) is a rock avalanche emanating from the Rissa RSF scar, the interpretation of wholesale valley wall retreat at deglaciation being discounted. In the adjacent valley of Vassivagge, a major RSF on Vuoitasrita has a similar area and morpholocation, but lacks a GBD. It has consumed 5–10% of the relict preglacial mountain surface. Both RSFs are near incipient watershed breaches in valleys which may have undergone vigorous enlargement during the last stadial. Glaciation history may explain spatial incidence as well as neotectonic and other triggers. The localised geomorphic impact of RSF in the Abisko mountains is high by comparison with contemporary slope processes. The cumulative impact of paraglacial RSF over the Quaternary may have been considerable, and RSF may be an indicator of concentrated late–stage glacial erosion.     

Rock slope failure and landscape evolution in the Caledonian Mountains, as exemplified in the Abisko area, northern Sweden

Paraglacial rock slope failure (RSF) is here studied as a locally major contributor to mountain landscape evolution in the Caledonian ranges. Dense RSF clusters exist in Scotland and Norway, but overall RSF distribution in Scandinavia is poorly known. In the Abisko area, air photo scrutiny confirms the reported incidence of sparse but significant RSF. In the Kärkevagge complex, the Rissa RSF is one of the largest in northern Europe, with a scar volume of 42 Mm3. The well–known Giant Boulder Deposit (GBD) is a rock avalanche emanating from the Rissa RSF scar, the interpretation of wholesale valley wall retreat at deglaciation being discounted. In the adjacent valley of Vassivagge, a major RSF on Vuoitasrita has a similar area and morpholocation, but lacks a GBD. It has consumed 5–10% of the relict preglacial mountain surface. Both RSFs are near incipient watershed breaches in valleys which may have undergone vigorous enlargement during the last stadial. Glaciation history may explain spatial incidence as well as neotectonic and other triggers. The localised geomorphic impact of RSF in the Abisko mountains is high by comparison with contemporary slope processes. The cumulative impact of paraglacial RSF over the Quaternary may have been considerable, and RSF may be an indicator of concentrated late–stage glacial erosion.     

Investigation of drainage basin geometry near an anomalously straight reach of the Big Black River,Mississippi, USA

Drainage basin geometry was analyzed in the lower portion of the Big Black River, Mississippi. The study was centered on a reach of the Big Black River that encompasses an anomalous straight reach (ASR) and has morphometric characteristics that differ from those of upstream and downstream reaches. The study area was divided into three reaches, defined by alluvial valley and active floodplain width, sinuosity, and slope. Tributary streams with confluences in the three study reaches were investigated for evidence of surface tilting, and channel and valley slopes and sinuosity were measured. The average stream channel and valley slopes within the middle reach are nearly double those of the upper and lower reaches. Lateral stream migration within the tributary basins was quantitatively analyzed by measuring the asymmetry factor (AF) and transverse topographic symmetry factor (T) indices. While AF results suggest minimal to no lateral migration within the tributaries, the T results show some shifting. The results are inconclusive regarding the possible effect of neotectonic activity in the study area near the ASR. The mean southward migration may indicate a preferred migration direction relative to the general dip of the coastal plain and plunge of the Mississippi Embayment.     

结构面倾角对岩质边坡位移影响的分析

岩体结构面是影响岩质边坡位移及其稳定性的重要因素之一,但是由于数学和力学上的困难,岩体结构面对岩质边坡变形的影响通常难以用理论公式计算得出,目前只能采用数值分析手段。分别针对坚硬岩边坡和软岩边坡中存在软弱结构面的情况,用有限元差分程序FLAC和边坡稳定性系数公式,定量和定性地讨论了岩体结构面倾角对岩质边坡位移的影响。通过计算分析发现,(1)岩体中结构面的存在是影响岩石边坡位移及其稳定性的重要因素之一;(2)随着结构面倾角的增加,边坡的稳定性和边坡的位移可能增加,也可能减小,并不象我们想象的那样随着结构面倾角的增加而增加,必须用定性和定量方法针对具体问题进行具体分析。