The formation of vertical edges on Antarctic moss peat banks
Moss peat banks, which can be up to 3 m deep, greater than 2500 m2 in area, and up to 5000 yr old, occur in the Antarctic. Radiocarbon dates show that the peat accumulation rate has varied from 0.25 to 2.00 mm yr-1. These peat banks have an abrupt vertical edge of exposed peat, which does not appear to be due to erosion of a once-larger peat bank. These edges seem to have arisen because, as peat accumulates and the moss banks become deeper, increased snow-lie prevents outward growth of the banks at their edges.