Rock weathering in high latitude environments
Marie Curie Individual Fellowship # MCFI-2000-00072
Period : June 2001- May 2003
Supervisor : Prof. Ole Humlum
What are Marie Curie fellowships ?
Marie Curie Fellowships support the training and mobility of researchers
throughout Europe. This scheme is particularly focused on the provision of
post-doctoral level research training. However, there are also opportunities for
pre-doctoral level training, as well as for the transfer of expertise via senior
researchers. Fellowships can be located in academic and industrial settings in
EU Member and Associated States (among which Norway). To participate researchers
are required to go to another country to carry out their training. The Human
Potential Program, which supports fellowships in all scientific areas, is the
principle provider of Marie Curie Fellowships. In addition, fellowships are
available in the specific scientific domains targeted by the Fifth Framework
Program (FP5) thematic programs.
For more information, see : http://www.cordis.lu/improving/fellowships/home.htm
Why studying rock weathering processes in cold climate ?
Frost weathering of rocks is a geomorphological research topic that has
been studied for about a century both in the field and in laboratory. The
mechanism involved in frost shattering was first thought to be the dilation of
freezing water, but this process requires a very high saturation level in order
to induce a shattering effect. New experimental results indicate that cryogenic
suction is the mechanism the most likely to act in the temperature and moisture
conditions characterizing natural environments, as the water contents levels
that are the most common in nature are far from complete saturation.
Frost action was first given an overwhelming importance as the main
weathering agent in cold environments. There is now some debate about frost
shattering being or not the main weathering agent in cold environments, and
about the possible impact of other weathering processes.
On this topic, see also Norikazu
Matsuoka’s summary
The lack of field data collected in cold environments makes it impossible
to assess the real role of frost action. This research project is aimed at
collecting data all year around in order to answer this question.
Research site
In Longyearbyen, the cliff on which the research is carried out presents
the following advantages :
-
high rock fall activity;
-
high rate of weathering of an outcrop recently exposed when the airport
road was built along the cliff;
-
optimal location : 1400 meters away from UNIS.; good accessibility by
road all year around;
General view of the cliff close to Bykaia (O. Humlum’s picture;
06.08.2001).
View of studied part of the cliff (H. Christensen’s picture;
31.07.2001).
Aims of the research and preliminary results:
Collection of rock temperature data
Collection of rock moisture data
Evaluation of rock fall activity
Disclaimer :
The author is solely responsible for information communicated and the
European Commission is not responsible for any view or results expressed.
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Latest update: 23. November 2001.