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Deformation‐induced microstructures in soils affected by mass movements
Author(s) -
Bertran Pascal
Publication year - 1993
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.3290180707
Subject(s) - geology , mass movement , solifluction , deformation (meteorology) , soil water , matrix (chemical analysis) , geotechnical engineering , mineralogy , geomorphology , materials science , soil science , glacial period , landslide , composite material , oceanography
The soil deformation produced by mass movements gives rise to specific microscopic features. The study of some markers of deformation, such as the orientation of rigid clasts and the morphology of fine‐grained intercalations, indicates that, in most cases, mass movements can be related to simple shear. The development of these features varies according mainly to the type of mass movement (solifluction, debris flow or earth slide). Different factors play a significant role in their formation: intrinsic soil characteristics such as the grain size of the matrix, water content and matrix/element viscosity ratios, and external factors such as the intensity and homogeneity of deformation. A careful study of the microscopic features leads to a better understanding of the dynamics of mass deposits.