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RST Apology to Tasmanian Aboriginal people 2021.

Periglacial processes on Heard Island, Southern Indian Ocean

Papers & Reports

Summary

Periglacial activity on Heard Island is manifested by intense physical weathering of the longest-exposed surfaces, and hillslope forms produced by a variety of cold-climate mass wasting processes. Microrelieffeatures include rudimentary sorted steps, terraces and polygons. No evidence of deep cryoturbation was obtained from excavations at 14 sites in moraines and no landforms indicative of discontinuous permafrost were identified. Periglacial landform development has been inhibited by the maritime climate and is more restricted than on other islands in the region due to the low altitude of the ice-free terrain, limited extent of glacier-free ground, and relatively recent deglaciation.

 

Keywords:

periglacial processes, cryoturbation, frost action, sorted polygons, sorted terraces, climatic warming.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Royal Society of Tasmania acknowledges, with deep respect, the traditional owners of this land, and the ongoing custodianship of the Aboriginal people of Tasmania. The Society pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that Tasmanian Aboriginal Peoples have survived severe and unjust impacts resulting from invasion and dispossession of their Country. As an institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, the Royal Society of Tasmania recognises Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices and seeks to respect and honour these traditions and the deep understanding they represent.

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On 15 February 2021, the Royal Society of Tasmania offered a formal Apology to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.