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Antarctic rock weathering simulations: simulator design, application and use

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2004

Kevin Hall
Affiliation:
Geography Department, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3200, South Africa
Alan Cullis
Affiliation:
Electronics Workshop, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3200, South Africa
Chris Morewood
Affiliation:
Science Workshop, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg 3200, South Africa

Abstract

The design of a computer-controlled climatic simulation cabinet used for mechanical weathering studies on Antarctic rocks is described. It is argued that if the results of simulations are to be applicable to field situations they should be firmly based on field environmental conditions. Some weathering results from a laboratory simulation based upon microclimatic data collected from the maritime Antarctic are presented and it is shown that they could not have been obtained from field measurements alone. Further simulation studies are required for the Antarctic and it is argued that the nature of Antarctic research is such that it is particularly conducive to this type of approach.

Type
Papers—Earth Sciences and Glaciology
Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 1989

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