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Antarctic tors
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Morphogentic definition of a tor is suggested rather than the definition suggested by Linton (1955). In the ice-free valleys of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, tors occur in granite, quartz monzonite and dolerite. The granite and quartz monzonite tors consist of massive joint blocks whose upper surfaces are protected by desert varnish, and whose sides and bases are weathered to form over-hanging blocks and taffoni. These tors occur on slopes and on valley floors. Those in dolerite are valley-side tors. It is suggested that, in this very arid environment which has been ice-free for at least 3.7 million years, salt weathering has selectively weathered areas of closely jointed rock to leave tors in areas of widely-spaced jointing. This process of tor formation appears to be unique to Antarctica.
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Supple. Vol 13, Glacial and periglacial morphology, p.73-86
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Bibliographic Citation:
Selby, M.J.Antarctic torsZeitschrift fur geomorphologie Supple. Vol 13, Glacial and periglacial morphology, p.73-861972
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