Sandstone Landforms

Sandstones form the backdrop to some of the world's most spectacular scenery-forming high mountain ranges, bold cliffs, extensive plateaus, impressive caverns and magnificent towers. They are found all over the planet and in all climates, from hot deserts to the polar region, and provide the construction material for iconic buildings in numerous countries.

Robert W. Young received a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney in 1975, and was based for over 20 years in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Robert A.L. Wray received a Ph.D. from the University of Wellongong in 1996, and is an Honorary Fellow in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at the same university. Ann R.M. Young received a Ph.D. from the University of Wollongong in 1983, and was based for 20 years in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at the same university.

Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
Research methodology	p. 3
A study of variations in sandstone landforms - the East Kimberley region, Western Australia	p. 5
Conclusions	p. 14
Variations within sandstones	p. 16
Sedimentation of sand	p. 16
Classification of sandstones	p. 20
The effects on landforms of variations in sandstones	p. 24
Basin characteristics	p. 36
The influence of vertical sequences within basins	p. 39
Lateral changes across basins	p. 43
Conclusions	p. 49
Cliffs	p. 51
Strength-stress relationships in cliffs	p. 51
Undercutting	p. 58
Fatigue and weathering effects	p. 60
Mechanisms of brittle fracture	p. 62
Block failure	p. 65
Rock mass strength	p. 78
Evolution of cliffs	p. 80
Amphitheatres	p. 83
Curved slopes	p. 88
Cross-bedding	p. 88
Jointing	p. 90
Critical partings	p. 94
Weathering and erosion	p. 95
The complex origins of curved forms	p. 99
Apses, arches and natural bridges	p. 100
Polygonal cracking	p. 108
Chemical weathering	p. 113
Arenization and the formation of karst in quartzose sandstones	p. 115
Silica solubility and chemical kinetics	p. 117
The forms and solubility of naturally occurring pure silica	p. 118
Bioweathering	p. 124
Silica transport in streams and groundwater	p. 128
The locus of chemical attack	p. 130
Speleothems	p. 133
Conclusion	p. 141
Solutional landforms	p. 142
Cavernous weathering	p. 143
Small surface features	p. 155
Caves	p. 161
Dolines and shafts	p. 170
Ruiniform landscapes	p. 172
Erosional forms	p. 181
Bare rock surfaces	p. 181
Hillslopes and valleysides	p. 184
Sediment accumulation in upland valleys and the development of dells	p. 187
Erosion along fractures	p. 190
Canyons	p. 193
Channel cutting	p. 199
Scarp retreat and canyon growth	p. 208
Climatic zonation of sandstone terrain	p. 210
The tropics	p. 213
Arid and semi-arid lands	p. 218
Sub-tropical lands	p. 223
Temperate zones	p. 226
Polar lands	p. 237
Conclusions	p. 242
Tectonic constraints on landforms	p. 244
Syn-depositional deformation	p. 244
Post-depositional deformation at the micro- and mesoscale	p. 246
Regions of simple post-depositional deformation	p. 247
An area of simple deformation adjacent to an alpine zone	p. 255
Complex deformation	p. 256
The effects of earthquakes	p. 264
Erosion as a cause of deformation	p. 266
Planation	p. 268
Conclusions	p. 272
References	p. 273
Index	p. 299
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials