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A physical theory of the formation of hoodoos

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Summary

The thesis is advanced that hoodoos (mushroom-shaped erosional features in badlands) are caused by water from cloudbursts turning the corner at the brim of the overhang, flowing for a distance upside-down on the underside. This type of upside-down flow is well known as «teapot effect» in the case of tea being poured from a pot flowing down the underside of the spout rather than straight on into the cup. The measured overhang of hoodoos is in good agreement with the theoretical values obtained from hydrodynamic stability considerations.

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References

  1. Reiner M.: Physics Today, No. 9, 16–20 (1956).

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  2. Keller J. B.: J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 28, 859–864 (1957).

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  1. A. E. Scheidegger

    Present address: Seismological Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. c/o Imperial Oil Research Lab., Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    A. E. Scheidegger

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  1. A. E. Scheidegger
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Scheidegger, A.E. A physical theory of the formation of hoodoos. Geofisica Pura e Applicata 41, 101–106 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01981864

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01981864

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