Gn. Liu et al., GELIFLUCTION IN THE ALPINE PERIGLACIAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE TIANSHAN MOUNTAINS, CHINA, Permafrost and periglacial processes, 6(3), 1995, pp. 265-271
Gelifluction in the periglacial zone of the Tianshan Mountains occurs
at 2500-3600 m above sea level on north-facing slopes. Abundant ground
water, fine grained sediments and slopes 10 degrees-30 degrees favour
gelifluction. Most gelifluction forms are lobate, a few are tongue-sha
ped. The mean surface rate of movement is 11.14 cm/a; the front advanc
ing rate is 1.86 cm/a. The moving rate in the middle part is greater t
han at the sides of gelifluction lobes, the mean rates being 3.1 cm/a
and 0.86 cm/a, respectively.