Abstract

Talus slopes store rockfall debris at the foot of cliffs. They are one of the most prominent landforms of mountain areas that experience (or formerly experienced) glaciation and/or periglaciation, reflecting rock mechanical, topo-climatic and paraglacial controls. Although rockfall is the primary depositional mechanism for the accumulation of talus debris, talus slopes may be significantly modified by snow avalanches, debris flows and permafrost creep. Climate warming drives significant changes within rockwall–talus systems via frost action, permafrost and deglaciation dynamics, with implications for mountain hazards and hydrology.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Quaternary Science, 3rd Edition
EditorsS. Elias
PublisherElsevier
Pages122-141
Number of pages20
Volume5
Edition3rd
ISBN (Electronic)9780443299971
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Talus slopes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this