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Dendrogeomorphic dating of rockfalls on low‐latitude, high‐elevation slopes: Rodadero, Iztaccíhuatl volcano, Mexico
Author(s) -
Stoffel Markus,
Bollschweiler Michelle,
VázquezSelem Lorenzo,
FrancoRamos Osvaldo,
Palacios David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.2146
Subject(s) - rockfall , geology , physical geography , dendrochronology , radiocarbon dating , elevation (ballistics) , low latitude , volcano , latitude , geomorphology , paleontology , geography , landslide , geodesy , geometry , mathematics
Dynamics and rates of rockfalls have been repeatedly studied in mountain environments with archival records as well as lichenometric, radiocarbon or dendrogeomorphic approaches. In this study, we test the potential of conifers growing at a low‐latitude, high‐elevation site as a dendrogeomorphic tool to reconstruct to calendar dates associated rockfall activity. Analysis is based on tree‐ring records of Mexican mountain pine ( Pinus hartwegii Lindl.) growing at timberline [~4000 m above sea level (a.s.l.)] and at the runout fringe of a north–northeast (NNE)‐facing slope of the dormant Iztaccíhuatl volcano (Mexico), which is subject to frequent rockfalls. The potential and limitations of tree‐ring data are demonstrated based on 67 rockfall impacts dated in the increment‐ring series of 24 trees since ad 1836. While findings of this paper are site‐specific, the study clearly shows the potential of dendrogeomorphic approaches in extra‐Alpine, low‐latitude environments and for the understanding of rockfall processes in space and time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.