Analyse dendrochronologique d'un glissement de terrain de la région du Lac à l'Eau Claire (Québec nordique)

Abstract

A landslide in Clearwater Lake has been dated to spring of 1933 from tree-ring analysis (reaction wood, growth suppression, and corrosion scars). From the 52 sampled trees, seven peak periods of movement were registered within the site before landslide occurrence: 1785, 1815, 1827, 1829, 1852–1853, 1871–1872, 1897, and 1926. After a slow progression lasting 200 years, the slope movements accelerated in 1926, as indicated by suppressed growth rings. It is proposed here that the landslide was the outcome of a long-term slope development partly controlled by climate (precipitation). Postdisturbance forest regeneration (between 1950 and 1976) on the newly exposed substrate is also related to climatic conditions.