Snow Action on Mount Twynam, Snowy Mountains, Australia

Abstract

A commonly accepted distinction between snow-patches and glaciers is the slow mass movement of the latter with consequent abrasion of stones and rock surfaces. However, the observations of some workers do not support this distinction. The present study, in a snow-patch area on Mount Twynam in the Snowy Mountains (Australia), presents positive evidence of slow mass sliding of snow, causing transport, abrasion and detachment of stones and abrasion of the bedrock surface. Consequently, no sharp separation is possible between the erosional effects of snow-patches and small cirque glaciers. In areas such as the Snowy Mountains the relative importance of glacial and nivational processes becomes more difficult to evaluate.