On weathering and denundation of humid tropical interfluves and their triple planation surfaces

Abstract

Divide areas and associated interfluves of upstream tributaries, mark the outer boundaries of the wide, flatly concave final landscape forms resulting from BÜDEL’S (1957) concept of double planation surfaces. The details of the weathering and denudation processes in these divide and interfluve areas have been studied during exploration work for placer tin and bauxite deposits. resulting in two distinct profiles: (i) the saprolite-mass flow profile and (ii) the saprolite-laterite profile. In addition to the denudation Ievel and the weathering front level, making up BUDEL’S double planation surfaces, each of these profiles have one additional level. Both profiles are described in some detail; the effects of unequal downward progress of the various levels and the separation in space of both types of weathering profiles are discussed in the light of parent rock composition and climatic variation.