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Inclinable Shear Box Simulations of Deepening Active Layers on Perennially Frozen Scree Slopes
Author(s) -
Rist A.,
Phillips M.,
Springman S. M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
permafrost and periglacial processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1099-1530
pISSN - 1045-6740
DOI - 10.1002/ppp.1730
Subject(s) - permafrost , active layer , geology , geomorphology , terrain , geotechnical engineering , shear (geology) , slope stability , stratigraphy , layer (electronics) , petrology , seismology , oceanography , materials science , ecology , tectonics , composite material , biology , thin film transistor
A series of systematic shear tests were performed using an inclinable shear box containing a coarse‐grained active layer overlying a fine‐grained permafrost layer, a stratigraphy observed in the field. The angle of mobilised interface friction Φ mob was determined as depending on the grain size of the active layer and the permafrost, the water content of the active layer and the ice content of the permafrost. Φ mob was found to be 8° lower for ice‐free permafrost compared to permafrost containing ice. This result implies a possible long‐term decrease of active‐layer slope stability on scree slopes in Alpine permafrost terrain under warming conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.