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Bedrock fracture by ice segregation in cold regions

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 17:14 authored by Julian MurtonJulian Murton, Rorik Peterson, Jean-Claude Ozouf
The volumetric expansion of freezing pore water is widely assumed to be a major cause of rock fracture in cold-humid regions. Data from experiments simulating natural freezing regimes indicate that bedrock fracture results instead from ice segregation. Fracture depth and timing are also numerically simulated by coupling heat and mass transfer with a fracture model. The depth and geometry of fractures match those in Arctic permafrost and ice-age weathering profiles. This agreement supports a conceptual model in which ice segregation in near-surface permafrost leads progressively to rock fracture and heave, whereas permafrost degradation leads episodically to melt of segregated ice and rock settlement.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Science

ISSN

0036-8075

Issue

5802

Volume

314

Page range

1127-1129

Pages

3.0

Department affiliated with

  • Geography Publications

Notes

Challenges the assertion that fracture of porous bedrock is due to expansion of freezing water, and reveals that fracture is caused by ice-lens growth. The research was funded by NERC, presented as a keynote address (2nd European Permafrost Conference) and accompanied by a perspective in Science.

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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