Abstract
Block streams are accumulations of coarse openwork rock debris that have moved or are moving downslope in areas of past or present periglacial conditions, respectively. Marked differences exist in block stream characteristics and a variety of processes act in combination and/or succession during their development. Relict block streams result from macrogelivation, mass wasting, and frost heaving/sorting, with immobilization due to removal of fine-grained matrix materials. Many relict block streams were adjacent to ice margins during the global Last Glacial Maximum. Active block streams are associated with permafrost and may account for permafrost aggradation rather than be a consequence of it.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science |
| Editors | Scott Elias |
| Place of Publication | Amsterdam |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Pages | 230-242 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Volume | 5 |
| Edition | 3 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0-323-99931-1 |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 1 Jan 2025 |
