Inscription legibility method for estimating rock weathering rates

• Autores: Thomas C. Meierding
• Localización: Geomorphology, ISSN 0169-555X, Vol. 6, Nº 3, 1993, pág. 273
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Relative legibility of dated inscription is closely associated with measured surface recessions for 3895 Vermont marble tombstones, and the resulting ordinal-to-ratio transfer function allows weathering rates to be computed for many exposed rock surfaces that cannot be measured by more accurate methods. Case studies demonstrate applications of the technique. (1) Surfaces of horizontal ground-level marble plaques have dissolved at steady rates of 1.3 mm/100 yr in Providence, RI and 1.1 mm/100 yr in Richmond, VA despite reports of increasing acid rain. (2) Vertical faces of century-old marble tombstones in upper midwestern United States small-towns have receded 10 times faster (1.4 mm/ 100 yr) than have stones in less polluted environments. (3) Vertical faces of limestone monuments have receded at half the rate (0.5 mm/ 100 yr) of Vermont marble tombstones (0.9 mm/ 100 yr) in Louisville, KY. (4) Aspect differences have not affected recession rates of marble pillar surfaces near Philadelphia, PA. (5) Aspect is important to sandstone granular weathering rates at Inscription Rock, NM, where north-facing cliffs recede 3 times faster (0.9 mm/ 100 yr) than do southeast-facing cliffs. (6) Horizontal pre-weathered quartizite surfaces at a scenic overlook in Maryland recede at 0.6 mm/ 100 yr.