Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
6.4
Current weathering study methods
tion of datalogging technology, which can monitor both
weathering processes and the environmental conditions
that control weathering over long periods of time at high
temporal resolution. For example, time lapse photography
can be used to monitor the detachment of grains or flakes
of rock while iButtons and other equipment can monitor
the fluctuation of temperature and relative humidity at the
rock surface (Figure 6.4(a)). A large number of studies
have now collected an impressive range of microclimatic
data from weathering systems in hot and cold arid environ-
ments (e.g. Hall, 1997, 1998; Viles, 2005; Hall and Andre,
2006; Sumner, Hedding and Meiklejohn, 2007; McKay,
Molaro and Marinova, 2009). Scientists have been slower
to implement time-lapse videography and other high-
tech methods to monitor the weathering response to such
A revolution has occurred in the methods used to study
weathering in recent years, contributing to a flowering
of research in arid and other environments and a grow-
ing ability to answer some key questions. Four types of
method are now available, i.e. monitoring, nondestruc-
tive testing, experimentation (including modelling) and
dating, which throw light on weathering systems when
used individually or together. Many of the methods de-
scribed below have not yet been fully trialled in hot arid
environments, but have proved to be highly effective in
other extreme environments such as the Antarctic and the
built environment. Monitoring methods are now available,
thanks to the automation, ruggedisation and miniaturisa-
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 6.4
Techniques for studying weathering in arid environments: (a) two iButtons in a c. 10 cm wide tafone on sandstone
in the Messak Settafet, Libya, deployed to monitor rock surface temperature and relative humidity regimes; (b) two-dimensional
resistivity survey of subsurface moisture regimes in a cavernous weathering feature, Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa (image
courtesy of Lisa Mol); (c) the Equotip hardness tester; (d) monitored blocks within an arid environment weathering simulation set
