Local variations of solifluction activity and environment in the Abisko Mountains, Northern Sweden

ABSTRACT Seven sites within the mountain region of Abisko, northern Sweden, were selected for measurement of solifluction movement rates and correlation with the local environmental factors. Grids with sizes from 20 m × 30 m to 50 m × 100 m included both solifluction landforms and adjacent ground. P...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
Main Authors: Ridefelt, Hanna, Boelhouwers, Jan, Etzelmüller, Bernd
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.2225
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fesp.2225
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/esp.2225
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Summary:ABSTRACT Seven sites within the mountain region of Abisko, northern Sweden, were selected for measurement of solifluction movement rates and correlation with the local environmental factors. Grids with sizes from 20 m × 30 m to 50 m × 100 m included both solifluction landforms and adjacent ground. Positions of movement markers and the terrain were recorded and the grid areas were digitally reconstructed. This allowed topography, vegetation and soil texture (fraction of fine material) surfaces to be interpolated and used together with data on soil moisture in statistical analyses. Significant correlations differ from site to site indicating that environmental factors have varying importance and inter‐relations depending on the local setting. Geomorphic work was also assessed within the grids. The results indicate measurable geomorphic work where no landforms are present. These areas may make larger contributions to sediment displacement than where solifluction landforms exist. Solifluction is an important denudational agent in the region and has its greatest impact on landscape development in the western part of the region. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.