Articles | Volume 9, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-145-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-145-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
12 Mar 2021
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 12 Mar 2021
| 12 Mar 2021
The enigma of relict large sorted stone stripes in the tropical Ethiopian Highlands
Alexander R. Groos
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Janik Niederhauser
Institute of Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Luise Wraase
Department of Geography, Philipps University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
Falk Hänsel
Department of Geography, Philipps University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
Thomas Nauss
Department of Geography, Philipps University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany
Naki Akçar
Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern,
Switzerland
Heinz Veit
Institute of Geography, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Short summary
Large sorted stone stripes have been discovered on the 4000 m high central Sanetti Plateau of the tropical Bale Mountains in Ethiopia. The stripes are a mystery as similar landforms have so far only been reported in the temperate zone and polar regions. Our investigations suggest that the stripes formed in the vicinity of a former ice cap on the plateau during a much colder climatic period. The distinct pattern is the result of a process related to cyclic freezing and thawing of the ground.
Large sorted stone stripes have been discovered on the 4000 m high central Sanetti Plateau of...
