Dendrogeomorphic dating of rockfalls on low‐latitude,high‐elevation slopes: Rodadero,Iztaccíhuatl volcano,Mexico |
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| Authors: | Markus Stoffel Michelle Bollschweiler Lorenzo Vázquez‐Selem Osvaldo Franco‐Ramos David Palacios |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Dendrogeomorphology, Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Berne, , Berne, Switzerland;2. Department for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, , Carouge, Switzerland;3. Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), , México D.F., Mexico;4. Department of Physical Geography, Complutense University, , Madrid, Spain |
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| Abstract: | Dynamics and rates of rockfalls have been repeatedly studied in mountain environments with archival records as well as lichenometric, radiocarbon or dendrogeomorphic approaches. In this study, we test the potential of conifers growing at a low‐latitude, high‐elevation site as a dendrogeomorphic tool to reconstruct to calendar dates associated rockfall activity. Analysis is based on tree‐ring records of Mexican mountain pine (Pinus hartwegii Lindl.) growing at timberline ~4000 m above sea level (a.s.l.)] and at the runout fringe of a north–northeast (NNE)‐facing slope of the dormant Iztaccíhuatl volcano (Mexico), which is subject to frequent rockfalls. The potential and limitations of tree‐ring data are demonstrated based on 67 rockfall impacts dated in the increment‐ring series of 24 trees since ad 1836. While findings of this paper are site‐specific, the study clearly shows the potential of dendrogeomorphic approaches in extra‐Alpine, low‐latitude environments and for the understanding of rockfall processes in space and time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | rockfall injury tree ring dendrogeomorphology talus slope volcano Mexico Pinus hartwegii Lindl |
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