THE FROST PHISICAL WEATHERING IN THE GREAT WALL STATION AREA, ANTARCTICA

Some weathering observation sites were set up at different height and face in Great Wall Station area of King Geroge Island, Antarctica, since 1989. Baced on the data series obtained from 1987-1991, the relationship between physical weathering of rock and season, height, face are discussed in this paper. We also compare the results to that of other periglacial area in the world in order to know the special features of King George Island in physical weathering of rock. The rock weathering in south-east face of sea stack is higher than that of north-west face in same environment. Get rid of influence of elevation, rock type, weathering time and organisms, the main reason which caused physical weathering of this area is climate and orientation of rock. The King George Island of Antarctica belong to high latitude area. The temperature time of below zero is 6-8 months in a year, so the process of freeze-thow is restricted. Compared with other periglacial area in the world, the weathering rate of rock is middle in this area.