Experimental ice structures

Abstract

Article in French.

Original title: Les fentes de gel experimentales

The results of two-year laboratory studies conducted by Professor A. L. Popov at the Department of Cryolithology, Moscow University, are presented. Their goal was to create artificial frost cracks (pseudomorphoses) and investigate the mechanism of their evolution. The pseudomorphoses obtained in the laboratory were found to be similar to natural forms in terms of morphology and structure. This indicates that the method and execution of the physical experiment were correct, and the processes induced under artificial conditions were similar to natural ones. The experiments conducted support the complex genesis of the folds observed under natural conditions and confirm the opinion of many authors regarding the possible involvement of deformation  and sedimentary folds in the formation of pseudomorphoses.