Influence of Late-Lying Snow on Rock-Weathering Rinds

Spatial variation in weathering processes may produce differences in rock-weathering rind thickness; this is an important source of potential error in relative age dating. Data from a snow patch in the Colorado Front Range indicate that late-lying snow may increase rock-weathering thicknesses two to four times. Areas of maximum rind thickness appear where free water in the snowpack and subsequent meltwaters are concentrated. Differences of the magnitude re