Terrace scarp deflation as a renewable source for eolian sediments in an Arctic periglacial setting

Abstract

Glacial, glaciofluvial, and glaciolacustrine sediments deposited by the retreating Vibekes Glacier are being actively reworked into sand dunes and loess sheets on the tops of glaciofluvial terraces downvalley from Vibekes Glacier and Vihekes S ø. Active permafrost precludes trenching below 0.5 to 1.0 meters. However, sedimentary structures, deflationary and abrasion features in shallow and surface deposits are visible. Although an armored pavement inhibits sediment deflation on the horizontal terrace surfaces, a combination of fluvial erosion, mass-wasting, and eolian processes on terrace scarps provides a continuing source of sand- and silt-size materials for redeposition.