Geophysical imaging reveals topographic stress control of bedrock weathering
Abstract
Fractures in bedrock drive the breakdown of rock into soil. Soil makes observations of bedrock processes challenging. St. Clair et al. combined a three-dimensional stress model with geophysical measurements to show that bedrock erosion rates mirror changes in topography (see the Perspective by Anderson). Seismic reflection and electromagnetic profiles allowed mapping of the bedrock fracture density. The profiles mirror changes in surface elevation and thus provide a way to study the critical zone between rock and soil.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Oct 30, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1126/science.aab2210
Entities
People
- B. Carr
- C. Harman
- C. S. Riebe
- D. Deb. Richter
- J. St. Clair
- J. T. Perron
- K. Singha
- S. J. Martel
- S. Moon
- W. Steven Holbrook
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- Colorado School of Mines
- Duke University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- National Science Foundation
- University of Hawaiʻi System
- University of Wyoming