Modelling and Terrestrial Laser Scanning Methodology (2009–2018) on Debris Cones in Temperate High Mountains

Abstract

Debris cones are a very common landform in temperate high mountains. They are the most representative examples of the periglacial and nival processes. This work studies the dynamic behavior of two debris cones (Cone A and Cone B) in the Picos de Europa, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Their evolution was measured uninterruptedly throughout each August for 10 years (2009–2018) using the Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technique. The observations and calculations of the two debris cones were treated independently, but both showed the same behavior. Therefore, if these results are extrapolated to other debris cones in similar environments (temperate high mountain), they should show behavior similar to that of the two debris cones analyzed. Material falls onto the cones from the walls, and transfer of sediments follows linear trajectories according to the maximum slope. In order to understand the linear evolution of the two debris cones, profiles were created along the maximum slope lines of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of 2009, and these profile lines were extrapolated to the remaining years of measurement. In order to determine volumetric surface behavior in the DEMs, each year for the period 2009–2018 was compared. In addition, the statistical predictive value for position (Z) in year 2018 was calculated for the same planimetric position (X,Y) throughout the profiles of maximum slopes. To do so, the real field data from 2009–2017 were interpolated and used to form a sample of curves. These curves are interpreted as the realization of a functional random variable that can be predicted using statistical techniques. The predictive curve obtained was compared with the 2018 field data. The results of both coordinates (Z), the real field data, and the statistical data are coherent within the margin of error of the data collection.

Ground and Near-Rock Surface Air Thermal Regimes in the High Mountain of the Picos De Europa (Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain)

“…In the Cantabrian Mountains, in the last decades significant progress has been made in the knowledge of the active periglacial dynamics of the highest areas (e.g. Castañón & Frochoso, 1994, 1998Gallinar-Cañedo et al, 2022a;González-Gutiérrez, 2002;González-Trueba, 2007;Pellitero, 2012;Ruiz-Fernández et al, 2014;Sanjosé-Blasco et al, 2020;Santos-González, 2010;Serrano et al, 2019a). Likewise, studies have multiplied on the climatic conditions that favor periglacial morphodynamics: changes in the soil thermal pattern throughout the year, the snow cover duration (SCD), the number of days and/or freeze-thaw cycles (FTC), and the influence of soil granulometry, air temperature, wind and solar radiation.…”

Analogical model tests on repeated surficial failure of dry granular slopes confined by retaining walls

“…Granular slopes are widespread in dry-hot valleys, high altitude environments, high latitude regions, and high seismic activity zones (Gerber and Scheidegger, 1974;Statham, 1976;Curry and Morris, 2004;Pudasaini and Hutter, 2007;Sass and Krautblatter, 2007;Davies and McSaveney, 2009;Otto et al, 2009;Takagi et al, 2011;Luckman, 2013;Ye et al, 2019;de Sanjosé-Blasco et al, 2020;Xue et al, 2021). In a natural granular slope, with continual debris supply from the source area, volume of the granular slope will continue to increase during the extension phase (Figure 1).…”