Inclinable Shear Box Simulations of Deepening Active Layers on Perennially Frozen Scree Slopes

• Published in: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Main Authors: A. Rist, M. Phillips, S. M. Springman
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1730

A series of systematic shear tests were performed using an inclinable shear box containing a coarse‐grained active layer overlying a fine‐grained permafrost layer, a stratigraphy observed in the field. The angle of mobilised interface friction Φmob was determined as depending on the grain size of the active layer and the permafrost, the water content of the active layer and the ice content of the permafrost. Φmob was found to be 8° lower for ice‐free permafrost compared to permafrost containing ice. This result implies a possible long‐term decrease of active‐layer slope stability on scree slopes in Alpine permafrost terrain under warming conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.