Notes on Talus Morphology and Processes in Spitsbergen

The morphology, morphometry and active processes are described for two km long sections of one west facing and one east facing talus slope in central Spitsbergen. The rock delivery activity to the talus slopes was studied during three summers and compared with the meteorological conditions. The two slopes showed great differences in response to variations in direct sunshine, precipitation events and rapid temperature changes which may explain the observed differencies in morphology and morphometry. Thus, well developed debris flows were almost exclusively found on the east facing slope. A regional inventory of 570 1-km sections of debris slopes in central Spitsbergen showed that debris flows are more abundant in east and north facing slopes or on slopes in very narrow valleys, which supports this observation.