http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
Morpho-dynamic modeling of rock glaciers
San Juan Mountains, Colorado, United States of America
xiii, 189 leaves : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm.
Understanding the dynamic nature of the alpine environment requires a focus on debris transport mechanisms. In particular, rock glacier development and material properties have been interpreted relative to the observed surface morphology and site conditions. The morpho-dynamics of rock glaciers were analyzed using simulation modeling, morphometric analysis, and fold analysis. A simulation model was developed to link morphological components of the alpine debris system to cascades of energy and matter. The simulation shows that rock glacier development can be controlled by basin shape, flow resistance, and debris supply. The results suggest that basin shape can be more important in rock glacier development than variations in debris supply. To validate the simulation, a statistical analysis of the relationship between site conditions and surface morphology was conducted using twelve rock glaciers in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area of the San Juan Mountains, CO. The results suggest that transverse ridges and furrows vary in response to basin geometry. Finally, the transverse ridges on the twelve rock glaciers were analyzed through the use of a surface-folding model. If rock glaciers flow as layered-viscous fluid then strong folding instability will produce regularly-spaced surface ridges. Rheologic properties (i.e., dominant wavelength, viscosity ratio, and stress ratio) of rock glaciers have been interpreted from fold analysis of transverse ridges and furrows. Given the fluid flow model and estimates of mechanical properties for the rock glaciers studied, it is feasible that transverse ridges and furrows were caused by folding.
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