The role of fieldwork in rock decay research: Case studies from the fringe

摘要: Researchers exploring rock decay hail from chemistry, engineering, geography, geology, paleoclimatology, soil science, and other disciplines use laboratory, microscopic, theoretical, field-based strategies. We illustrate here how the tradition of fieldwork forms core knowledge continues to build on classic research Blackwelder, Bryan, Gilbert, Jutson, King, Linton, Twidale, von Humboldt. While development nonfield-based investigation has contributed substantially our understanding processes, wide range environments, stone types, climatic variability encountered raises issues temporal spatial scales too complex fit into attempts at universal modeling. Although nonfield methods are immensely useful for overarching they can miss subtle differences in factors that ultimately shape surfaces. We, therefore, today alongside laboratory computer-based investigations contributes processes. This includes contribution learning process undergraduates, calculation activation energies plagioclase olivine dissolution, high Arctic, discovery a new global carbon sink, influence plant roots, an analysis need protocols, tafoni development, monuments, coatings. These compiled vignettes argue that, despite revolutionary advances instrumentation, must remain firmly footed field.