On the persistence of ‘weathering’

Hall, Kevin; Thorn, Colin E.; Sumner, Paul

doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.12.024

Cited by 107 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…1) as too do Turkington and Phillips (2004). Here it is argued, much as discussed elsewhere for other processes (see Hall et al, 2012), that the foundational terminology 'cavernous weathering' itself creates confusion -is it (cavernous weathering) the 'process' (as actually implied by the term) or the product (the 'cavern') and if it is the 'cavern' then quite what does this encompass; or is it implying (as does appear to be the case) both process and form?…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…Indeed, the whole issue regarding initiation of these weathering forms remains an enigma (Boxermann, 2005, p.79). However, to the above points must also be added the caveat that 'terminology' (see Hall et al, 2012) requires we all understand the same thing through the use of specific terms; this does not appear to be the case with respect to the terms used here. In part, this may well underpin the observation by Turkington (2004, p.128) that "as more information has been presented their (tafoni and alveoli) possible origins, rather than being clarified, seem to have become more confused."…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There clearly is much confusion regarding the nature of the formative weathering (or, rather 'rock decay': see Hall, et al, 2012) -essentially everything from chemical to physical to physico-chemical processes, and almost any combination thereof. This, in itself, need not be a problem as this paper argues.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using morphospaces to understand tafoni development

Inkpen

Hall

2016

Geomorphology

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Tafoni research has tended to focus on issues around definition and differences rather than trying to develop general concepts for understanding the nature of tafoni. This paper uses the concepts of fitness landscapes and morphospaces to develop a standardized and dimensionless phase space within which to represent, visualize and analyze a dataset of 800 tafoni collected from Antarctica. Within this phase space it is possible to identify clustering of tafoni forms and to illustrate how tafoni development is constrained by a relational hierarchy of rock structure, processes and geometry or form.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using morphospaces to understand tafoni development

Inkpen

Hall

2016

Geomorphology

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“…This rockwall is located in the province of Madrid, in Perales de Tajuña, 40 Km Southeast of Madrid city, 40º14´0.3´´N 3º19´55´´O. The environmental conditions and microclimate [2] produce several weathering processes [3] that might endanger this piece of cultural heritage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gypsum Decay Simulation: Risco de las Cuevas Case Study, Madrid, Spain

Freire-Lista

Greif

Buergo

et al. 2014

Engineering Geology for Society and Territory - Volume 8

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Since troglodyte population has excavated their dwellings in the gypsum escarpment of the Risco de las Cuevas of Perales de Tajuña (Spain), atmospheric processes have preferentially sculptured the rockwall. This weathering has a negative effect on the future of the monument, and to preserve it, it is important to investigate how the different content of clay in the gypsum that constitute the escarpment, respond to the weathering.Three types of gypsum, with different amounts of clay, material that constitute El Risco de las Cuevas, were subjected to accelerated ageing tests in laboratory (freezing/thawing and wetting/drying).In addition to laboratory observations, results from field observations and digital photogrammetry were obtained, serving to draw the geometry of the escarpment, comparing with old photographs, taken by neighbors of the village of Perales de Tajuña, in which images of the detached tape bock of gypsum can be seen, their dimensions and volume. All artificial accelerated ageing tests have leaded to gypsum caused decay, being the most aggressive the resistance to freezing in the gypsum specimens with the highest clay content.

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“…Perhaps Knight and Grab are associating "thermal expansion" (p. 61) with the possibility of fatigue as noted by Sumner et al (2004) but this is inappropriate if one again considers the weathering mechanisms in detail. Neither do Hall et al (2012) in the same paragraph endorse any of the specified processes but, to the contrary, argue against climaticallymediated weathering scenarios; a point that is later acknowledged by Knight and Grab (p. 62) but then immediately discarded. Sumner and Nel (2006), cited on page 67, are taken out of context.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

Comment on “Lightning as a geomorphic agent on mountain summits: Evidence from southern Africa” by Knight and Grab (2014)

Sumner

2014

Geomorphology

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Abstract:Insights into the possible effect of lightning strikes on rock breakdown are presented by Knight and Grab (2014) from a summit area in the Lesotho highlands. Based on their findings, the authors challenge the association of angular debris with frost shattering and use this as a platform for directing critique against palaeo-geomorphic studies. While the lightning strike data are not questioned directly here, the palaeo-environmental context within which the paper is set, the portrayal of former findings and the assumptions regarding weathering mechanisms in Lesotho are commented on. Frost shattering is the centre of Knight and Grab's weathering critique but, contrary to that stated in their text, none of the cited authors invoke this process in Lesotho.Other weathering processes that are speculated upon are not specific to cold climates either and thus cannot be used in support of their argument. In terms of debris and block distribution, lightning will not account for the preferential location of relict blocks and debris below summits on south-facing slopes, or for the extensive valley floor accumulations that are documented in Lesotho. Knight and Grab also falsely portray former studies by implying that palaeoenvironmental inferences in the area are drawn from block origin or morphology alone when the climatic signatures were derived from integrated assessments. In a palaeo-context, the relative contribution of lightning to debris production under dryer and colder conditions, when convective thunderstorm activity in the highlands was likely reduced, is also questioned. The weathering context, as well as the critique that Knight and Grab direct at other studies on relict landforms, is thus shown as inappropriate.

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On the persistence of ‘weathering’

Cited by 107 publications

References 64 publications

Using morphospaces to understand tafoni development

Using morphospaces to understand tafoni development

Gypsum Decay Simulation: Risco de las Cuevas Case Study, Madrid, Spain

Comment on “Lightning as a geomorphic agent on mountain summits: Evidence from southern Africa” by Knight and Grab (2014)

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