Premium
Differential frost heave, load casting and convection: Converging mechanisms; a discussion of the origin of cryoturbations
Author(s) -
Van VlietLanoë Brigitte
Publication year - 1991
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.3430020207
Subject(s) - frost heaving , frost weathering , geology , frost (temperature) , geotechnical engineering , permafrost , differential (mechanical device) , moisture , convection , casting , mechanics , soil science , geomorphology , materials science , composite material , engineering , soil water , oceanography , physics , aerospace engineering
This paper reviews and discusses the main mechanisms involved in cryoturbation processes and patterned ground. The arguments are based upon field, thermal, moisture and micromorphological data in relation to cryogenic fabric stability and local hydraulic conditions. Differential frost heaving appears to be the main mechanism of cryoturbation, but its action can be helped by cryostatic pressures, by differential swelling and probably also by load casting in poorly drained sites. Differential frost heaving can be emphasized if organics are present. Frost‐susceptibility gradients provide an understanding of the geometry of deformations.