Some observations regarding sorted stripes, livingston island, south shetlands

Abstract

AbstractSorted stripes have long been recognized in the sub‐Antarctic and the maritime Antarctic. The cold and wet conditions of these regions, when compared with the drier continent, are ideal for their development. In particular, the frequent low‐amplitude, short‐duration freeze‐thaw cycles of the sub‐Antarctic favour the development of miniature sorted forms. The maritime Antarctic, however, with its larger amplitude and longer duration of freeze‐thaw cycles, plus the presence of permafrost, exhibits a more frequent occurrence of the larger forms.The Byers Peninsula has an extensive range of sorted features but, despite being situated in the maritime Antarctic and within a permafrost zone, the majority of these features are of the miniature variety. In addition, the sorted stripes exhibit a distinct spatial preference. Their alignment and spatial distribution are not associated with either the sun or the wind, but are a function of the snow cover.