Z. Geomorph. N.F. 52 Suppl.

2
Combining 77 ^ 94 analysis
sediment Berlin Stuttgart September 200877

Combining sediment analysis and seismic refraction to describe the structure,

thickness and distribution of periglacial slope deposits at Niwot Ridge,
Rocky Mountains Front Range, Colorado, USA
Matthias Leopold, David Dethier, Jrg Vlkel and Thomas Raab

with 6 figures and 3 tables

Summary. In alpine and subalpine areas periglacial slope deposits (PSD) are a widespread component
of the critical zone (CZ, upper subsurface) that controls and influences many processes of the biogeosphere.
Measuring the thickness, layering, distribution and material properties of periglacial slope deposits that
underlie ecological sensitive alpine areas poses major challenges for the analytical approach. Extensive
pits and trenches may impact current hydrologic and biogeospheric processes or distort them for future
research. The application of geophysical methods offers a possible solution. Application of shallow seismic
refraction (SSR) to several hundred meters of 2D-sections and field studies show that alpine slopes in the
vicinity of Niwot Ridge, Colorado Front Range (3450^3800 m a.s.l.) are underlain by layers of fine to
coarse, blocky deposits of periglacial origin. In general, depth to bedrock ranges from 4 to 10 m and
reaches maximum depths of over 15 m. Depth is not simply related to local slope. The structure of PSD
shows both similarities and differences compared to the German PSD-scheme. The structure, distribu-
tion and thickness of lower heads at Niwot are equivalent to those of European studies. The upper head
at Niwot Ridge is similar in composition to the ones described in European studies but shows differences
in topographic distribution as it is restricted to lee positions at the American study area.

1 Introduction
Periglacial slope deposits (PSD) are part of the critical zone (CZ), which controls many processes
that influence the adjacent biogeosphere. Examples include soil hydrology, nutrient cycling, gas
flux, temperature regime, and edaphic processes. The term critical zone is used here for the organic
''
and inorganic material that rests on bedrock. The Critical Zone can be considered a reactor
supplied with unweathered rock through uplift and erosion, fluids through precipitation, and
stirred at the top by biological and physical processes'' (Anderson et al. 2007, see also Brantley
et al. 2006).
In landscapes such as those of the Colorado Front Range, the CZ is composed of slope de-
posits of varying genesis, thickness, age, composition and 3D-shape (Benedict 1970, Birkeland
et al. 2003, Muhs & Benedict 2006). Weathering and soil-forming processes, periglacial activity,
soil creep and other mass movements slowly alter and mix CZ material to form a more or less
complex stratum (e.g. Hambrey 1994, Vlkel 1995, K leber 1997, Menzies 1996, Benn & Evans
1998, Vlkel et al. 2001, Leopold & Vlkel 2003, R aab & Vlkel 2003). The base of the shallow
subsurface, the contact zone of weathered material and the upper meters of bedrock, represents an
important hydrological transition in many environments. PSD themselves are a widespread
geoarchive that mantle many of the mountainous areas of the world (Costin & Polach 1971,
Braun 1989, Vlkel 1993, K leber 1994, Vlkel 1995, Boelhouwers 1999, Giraudi 2005,

DOI: 10.1127/0372-8854/2008/0052S2-0077 0372-8854/08/5202-0077 $ 4.50

2008 Gebrder Borntraeger, D-14129 Berlin D-70176 Stuttgart