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Formation of a pronival rampart on sub-Antarctic Marion Island

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 August 2007

David W. Hedding ,
Paul D. Sumner ,
Stephen D. Holness  and
K. Ian Meiklejohn
David W. Hedding*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, North West University, Mafeking 2735, South Africa
Paul D. Sumner
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Stephen D. Holness
Affiliation:
South African National Parks Board, Port Elizabeth 6013, South Africa
K. Ian Meiklejohn
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
*
*david.hedding@nwu.ac.za
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Abstract

The formation of a pronival (protalus) rampart on sub-Antarctic Marion Island is investigated. Morphological attributes show debris at the angle of repose on the rampart's proximal slope and at a lower angle on the distal slope. Relative-age dating, based on the percentage moss cover and weathering rind thickness of the clastic component, indicates accumulation mainly on the proximal slope and rampart crest, implying upslope (retrogressive) accumulation. This contrasts with a previously published model for pronival ramparts, which proposes rampart growth by addition of material to the distal slope. Development of the Marion Island rampart is suggested to result from the control exerted by a relatively low-angled surface and a shrinking snowbed. A small debris step formed on the proximal slope appears to be a response to decreased snowfalls due to changing climate over the last c. 50 years. Growth rate of the rampart is considered to be variable during the Holocene in response to changes in climate and debris supply.

Keywords

climate changeprotalusretrogressivesnowbedsupranival
Type
EARTH SCIENCES
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , December 2007 , pp. 443 - 450
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2007

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