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A note on needle‐ice mound formation in the High Drakensberg, Southern Africa
Author(s) -
Grab Stefan
Publication year - 2002
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.427
Subject(s) - geology , sediment , clastic rock , ice caps , permafrost , paleontology , geomorphology , oceanography , sedimentary rock , glacier
Small needle‐ice mounds are described from the High Drakensberg. They develop infrequently during periods of several days of uninterrupted cold conditions. Ice growth incorporates sediment and stones. An accumulated segregated ice length of >41 cm was measured, with clasts heaved ∼14 cm. During subsequent thaw phases, the ice ablates from the top downwards, forming sediment veneers and cappings. These mounds contribute towards turf exfoliation, thereby exposing sediment to deflation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.