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Scratch circles in Iceland
Koerfer, L. E.; Schwarzbach, M.
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie Volume 15 Issue 3 (1971), p. 348 - 349
1 references
published: Sep 22, 1971
ArtNo. ESP022001503007, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
To the interesting paper of Z. Kukal and A. B. Al-Naqash on scratch circles (“Scharr-Kreise”) of Astragalus on the surface of loose sandstones in Central Iraq we may add a very good example of similar scratches from Iceland. These are perfect circles around small plants (likely Elymus arenarius) in black (basaltic) sands (with ripples and small dunes behind plant-bushes) on the western side of the basaltic ridge Nesbjörg, near Húnafloi (Northern Iceland). The scratched impressions are not half circles formed under the influence of only one wind direction as Kukal & Al-Naqash describe from the Iraq but closed circles because the wind near Nesbjörg blows often from opposite directions (sea and land breeze). The sand is often wet which favours the sharp profiles and preservation of the scratch circles.
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