Alexandru ONACA, Adrian Cristian ARDELEAN, Petru URDEA, Florina ARDELEAN & Adriana SĂRĂȘAN
Department of Geography, West University of Timișoara, Blvd. V. Pârvan, no. 4, Timișoara, 300223, Romania, alexandru.onaca@e-uvt.ro

GENETIC TYPOLOGIES OF TALUS DEPOSITS DERIVED FROM GPR MEASUREMENTS IN THE ALPINE ENVIRONMENT OF THE FĂGĂRAȘ MOUNTAINS

Full text

The subsurface layering of 43 talus slopes in the central part of Făgăraș Mountains was investigated by means of ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements. The aim of this approach was to delineate different types of internal stratification of talus slopes and to identify the dominant morphogenetic processes, which acted during the Holocene. GPR technique proved to be suitable to detect the thickness of the talus deposits and their internal stratification. Rockfalls and debris flows contributed significantly to the formation of talus deposits and their activity was highly controlled by the Holocene climatic oscillations. Three different genetic types of talus deposits were identified: stratified slope deposits with alternating periods of intense rockfalls and intermediate storage depletion; post-depositional sediment redistribution by surficial debris flows and weak layering interrupted by high-magnitude rockfalls.