Turf-Banked Terraces in Oraefi, Southeast Iceland: Morphometry, Rates of Movement, and Environmental Controls

Abstract

Small-scale turf-banked terraces are widely developed on low- angled slopes above the Neoglacial trimlines of the Oraefi outlet glaciers in southeast Iceland. These features, which have not been previously described in this area, comprise a vegetated riser and a vegetation-free tread. The morphometry of these landforms is shown to be related to slope angle. Rates of soil movement were measured over a 2-yr period using Rudberg pillars and showed maximum displacement of the surface layer of 11 mm yr-1. The environmental controls on the development of the turf-banked terraces are discussed including aspect, slope angle and altitude.