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| Titel |
Efficiency of frost-cracking processes through space and time: An example
from the eastern Italian Alps |
| VerfasserIn |
Sara Savi, Romain Delunel, Fritz Schlunegger |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2016
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| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
en
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| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 18 (2016) |
| Datensatznummer |
250122862
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 EGU/EGU2016-1996.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| It is widely accepted that climate has a strong impact and exerts important feedbacks on
erosional processes and sediment transport mechanisms. However, the extent at which
climate influences erosion is still a matter of debate. In this study we test whether
frost-cracking processes and related temperature variations can influence the sediment
production and surface erosion in a small catchment situated in the eastern Italian Alps. To
this extent, we first present a geomorphic map of the region that we complement with
published 10Be-based denudation rates. We then apply a preexisting heat-flow model in order
to analyze the variations of the frost-cracking intensity (FCI) in the study area, which
could have controlled the sediment production in the basin. Finally, we compare the
model results with the pattern of denudation rates and Quaternary deposits in the
geomorphic map. The model results, combined with field observations, mapping, and
quantitative geomorphic analyses, reveal that frost-cracking processes have had a
primary role in the production of sediment where the intensity of sediment supply has
been dictated and limited by the combined effect of temperature variations and
conditions of bedrock preservation. These results highlight the importance of a
yet poorly understood process for the production of sediment in mountain areas. |
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