Waterfall ice: mechanical stability of vertical structures
International audience We present a study of the mechanical (in)stability of the ephemeral waterfall ice structures that form from the freezing of liquid water seeping on steep rock. Three vertical structures were studied, two near Glacier d'Argentie're, France, and one in the Valsavarench...
Published in: | Journal of Glaciology |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Other Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
HAL CCSD
2011
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://hal.science/halsde-00606743 https://hal.science/halsde-00606743/document https://hal.science/halsde-00606743/file/waterfall-ice-mechanical-stability-of-vertical-structures.pdf https://doi.org/10.3189/002214311796905587 |
Summary: | International audience We present a study of the mechanical (in)stability of the ephemeral waterfall ice structures that form from the freezing of liquid water seeping on steep rock. Three vertical structures were studied, two near Glacier d'Argentie're, France, and one in the Valsavarenche valley, northern Italy. The generation of internal stresses in the ice structure in relation to air- and ice-temperature conditions is analyzed from pressure sensor records. Their role in the mechanical instability of the structures is discussed from a photographic survey of these structures. The main result is that dramatic air cooling (several 88Ch-1 over several hours) and low temperatures (<-108C), generating tensile stresses and brittleness, can trigger a spontaneous or climber-induced mechanical collapse, leading to unfavorable climbing conditions. Ice internal pressure fluctuations are also associated with episodes of marked diurnal air-temperature cycle, with mild days (few 88C above 088C) and cool nights (few 88C below 088C), through the occurrence of water$ice phase transitions within the structure. These ice internal stress fluctuations seem, however, to have a local influence, are associated with warm (near 088C), wet and therefore particularly soft ice and do not trigger a collapse of the structure. |
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