Ice Free Regions

Influence of moisture on rock weathering processs

Principal Investigator: Christine Elliott
Organisation: University of Canterbury

The weathering of rock is a fundamental landscape process and the important role that moisture plays in weathering, although recognised, has not yet been quantified.  The primary objective of this research is to investigate the role that moisture plays in the weathering of rock along the Victoria Land Coast, Antarctica.  Data on rock strength, surface and subsurface rock temperatures and moisture content were gathered between October and January at four locations during the 2002/03 & 2003/04 seasons.  These show that there are significant differences in both rock temperature and moisture between locations as well as between the beginning and end of the season at each site.  A series of laboratory simulations will be conducted on rock samples from each location and the effects of moisture isolated from other factors.  An empirically based mathematical model will then be developed that will predict changes in weathering rate depending on changes in moisture in the rock.  Any future climate change will affect precipitation as well as temperature and this model will enable weathering rates under differing moisture scenarios to be predicted.  The fragile nature of Antarctica’s ecosystems makes the predictions of weathering rates in this environment particularly important.

Recent Publications:

Elliott, C. Surface moisture availability and rock weathering in cold climates. New Zealand Geographer 60(1): 44-51, 2003. View Abstract.

Elliott, C. Rock weathering processes in Antarctica: a comparison of some recent studies with those from the Northern Hemisphere. New Zealand Geographer 59(1): 50-60, 2003. View Abstract.

Elliott, C. Modeling the influence of moisture variations on physical rock weathering processes in Antarctica: proposed investigations and preliminary results. in Extended abstracts 8th International Conference on Permafrost, Zurich, Switzerland, July 2003. Eds Haeberli, W and Brandova, D. pp 31-32. 2003.