Causes and Rates of Soil Creep in the Chilton Valley, Cass, New Zealand

Abstract

The main aims of the study are to define the causes and measure the rate of soil creep in a small valley in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. Frost action is shown to be the dominant factor causing soil creep. The rate of creep (given by the geometric mean of the movement of 14 thin plastic tubes) was 1.1 cm/yr at the surface or, in terms of volumetric movement, 3.2 cm³/cm/yr. Although these rates seem comparable to creep rates measured in other temperate areas, detailed comparisons are not made because different methods were used in other studies. The need for standardization of measurement procedures is emphasized.