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Observations on a blockstream in the vicinity of Sani Pass, Lesotho highlands, Southern Africa
Author(s) -
Boelhouwers Jan,
Holness Steve,
Meiklejohn Ian,
Sumner Paul
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.428
Subject(s) - colluvium , geology , pleistocene , permafrost , fault scarp , frost weathering , glacial period , regolith , quaternary , solifluction , paleontology , earth science , physical geography , geomorphology , archaeology , geography , tectonics , oceanography , alluvium , physics , astrobiology , soil water , soil science
Coarse slope deposits, frequently grading into blockstreams, are common throughout the Lesotho highlands, southern Africa. This paper describes one such blockstream. It is interpreted as a typical lag deposit derived from valley‐wide colluvial mantles, which contains superimposed and incorporated Late‐Pleistocene blocky material. Blocks are largely derived from local scarps but may contain a component of corestones from mobilized regolith. The widespread mantle argues against landscape‐scale glaciation in the Lesotho highlands in the Late Pleistocene. Rather, the environment appears to have been conducive to deep seasonal frost during the period of block production. No unequivocal evidence for permafrost is found. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.