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A study of valley-side slope asymmetry based on the application of GIS analysis: Alexander Island, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 May 2004

Mike Siegmund  and
Kevin Hall
Mike Siegmund
Affiliation:
Geography Programme, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada V2N 4Z9
Kevin Hall
Affiliation:
Geography Programme, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada V2N 4Z9
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Abstract

Geographic Information System (GIS) data from southern Alexander Island were used to evaluate valley asymmetry from an area where ground observations had suggested that south facing slopes were steeper than north facing. Using digital elevation modelling (DEM), data were collected from 2° and 10° arcs centred on the four cardinal directions in order to determine average slope angles for a whole nunatak area (Mars Oasis). It was found that south facing slopes were significantly steeper (34°) than the north facing (28°); east and west facing slopes were each 31°. Bedrock in this area is (approximately) horizontally bedded and so valley asymmetry is considered to be due to aspect-influenced periglacial weathering processes.

Keywords

Alexander IslandAntarcticaDEMGISvalley-slope asymmetry
Type
Papers—Earth Sciences and Glaciology
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , December 2000 , pp. 471 - 476
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 2000

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