Mechanics of thermal ratchet uplift buckling in periglacial morphologies

摘要

Growth of periglacial features such as hummocks, frost mounds, palsas and pingos are generally attributed to some form of differential heave process. This paper argues that these models may be incomplete, and postulates an alternative which relies upon the development of high levels of in-plane compression and tension caused by periodic changes in temperature. A thermally induced upheaval buckling under these conditions is argued to be consistent with observed dome-shapes characteristic of many of these periglacial morphological features.