A study of valley-side slope asymmetry based on the application of GIS analysis: Alexander Island, Antarctica

Geographic Information System (GIS) data from southern Alexander Island were used to evaluate valley asymmetry from an area where ground observations had suggested that south facing slopes were steeper than north facing. Using digital elevation modelling (DEM), data were collected from 2 degrees and 10 degrees arcs centred on the four cardinal directions in order to determine average slope angles for a whole nunatak area (Mars Oasis). It was found that south facing slopes were significantly steeper (34 degrees) than the north facing (28 degrees); east and west facing slopes were each 31 degrees. Bedrock in this area is (approximately) horizontally bedded and so valley asymmetry is considered to be due to aspect-influenced periglacial weathering processes.