Cosmogenic nuclide-based investigation of spatial erosion and hillslope channel coupling in the transient foreland of the Swiss Alps

Norton, Kevin; Blanckenburg, Friedhelm von; Schlunegger, Fritz; Schwab, Marco; Kubik, Peter W.

doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.07.013

Cited by 105 publications

(135 citation statements)

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“…This implies then that the morphometric and hypsometric properties of the Alpine landscape (i.e. steepness, concavity of hillslopes and channels, and hillslope-valley relationships) are not in equilibrium with the present-day situation (Brocklehurst and Whipple, 2004;Anderson et al, 2006;Korup & Schlunegger, 2008;Norton et al, 2008). As a result, modern fluvial and associated hillslope processes have resulted in the formation of Vshaped scars in landscapes that were formerly shaped by glacial processes, which is a strong evidence for ongoing re-adjustment of the Alpine topography to modern conditions (Fig.…”

Section: Environmental Controls On Erosional Unloadingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(C) Contour of the watersheds sampled for cosmogenic 10Be-derived denudation rates from Wittmann et al (2007), with the Trub and Fontanne catchments added from Norton et al (2008). Only samples from trunk streams have been used, and replicates have been averaged.…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rock uplift rate errors of 0.117 mm/yr on the average are the mean errors calculated for survey points within or near a catchment (Schlatter et al, 2005 and personal communication). The errors on the denudation rate data (~5%) include effects from AMS measurements, blank subtraction, and scaling (see Wittmann et al [2007] and Norton et al [2008] for details). The linear regression of the data is shown as solid line, and the 95% confidence interval error envelopes as dashed lines.…”

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(ii) Geodetic levelling data calculated from centennial re-measurements of a first-order levelling line relative to a reference station north of the Alps yield information about vertical rock motion (Kahle et al, 1997;. (iii) Sediment yields that are based on suspended loads of river sediment (Schlunegger & Hinderer, 2001;Schwab, 2007), integrate denudation over decadal time scales, and concentrations of cosmogenic nuclides in riverborn sand (Wittmann et al, 2007, Norton et al, 2008 integrate denudation over late Holocene time scales. (iv) Volumetric calculations of lake and valley fills yield information about the post Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) redistribution of mass from the Alps to neighboring sedimentary sinks (Hinderer, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Erosion-driven uplift of the modern Central Alps

et al. 2009

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We present a compilation of data of modern tectono-geomorphic processes in the Central European Alps which suggest that observed rock uplift is a response to climate-driven denudation. This interpretation is predominantly based on the recent quantification of basinaveraged Late Holocene denudation rates that are so similar to the pattern and rates of rock uplift rates as determined by geodetic leveling. Furthermore, a GPS data-based synthesis of Adriatic microplate kinematics suggests that the Central Alps are currently not in a state of active convergence. Finally, we illustrate that the Central Alps have acted as a closed system for Holocene redistribution of sediment in which the peri-Alpine lakes have operated as a sink for the erosional products of the inner Central Alps.While various hypotheses have been put forward to explain Central Alpine rock uplift (e.g. lithospheric forcing by convergence, mantle processes, or ice melting) we show with an elastic model of lithospheric deformation, that the correlation between erosion and rock uplift rates reflects a positive feedback between denudation and the associated isostatic response to unloading. Thus, erosion does not passively respond to advection of crustal material as might be the case in actively converging orogens. Rather, we suggest that the geomorphic response of the Alpine topography to glacial and fluvial erosion and the resulting disequilibrium for modern channelized and associated hillslope processes explains much of the pattern of modern denudation and hence rock uplift. Therefore, in a non-convergent orogen such as the Central European Alps, the observed vertical rock uplift is primarily a consequence of passive unloading due to erosion.

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Section: Environmental Controls On Erosional Unloadingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Erosion-driven uplift of the modern Central Alps

et al. 2009

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“…This method has been applied to diverse landscapes (Brown et al, 1995;Matmon et al, 2003b;Vanacker et al, 2007;Norton et al, 2008) and processes, such as the long-held relationship between hillslope gradient and erosion rate (Ahnert, 1970;Granger et al, 1996;Matmon et al, 2003a;von Blanckenburg, 2005). Cosmogenic methods have been combined with topographic and chemical analyses in order to relate the production of sediment on hillslopes to the controlling sediment production and transport processes (Heimsath et al, 2001), and to better understand the relationship between physical erosion and chemical weathering (Riebe et al, 2003), and climate and denudation (Riebe et al, 2001;von Blanckenburg, 2005).…”

Section: Applications Of In Situ Produced Cosmogenic Nuclidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of terrain smoothing on topographic shielding correction factors for cosmogenic nuclide‐derived estimates of basin‐averaged denudation rates

Norton

Vanacker²

2008

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Estimation of spatially averaged denudation rates from cosmogenic nuclide concentrations in sediments depends on the surface production rates, the scaling methods of cosmic ray intensities, and the correction algorithms for skyline, snow and vegetation shielding used to calculate terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide production. While the calculation of surface nuclide production and application of latitude, altitude and palaeointensity scaling algorithms are subjects of active research, the importance of additional correction for shielding by topographic obstructions, snow and vegetation is the subject of ongoing debate. The derivation of an additional correction factor for skyline shielding for large areas is still problematic. One important issue that has yet to be addressed is the effect of the accuracy and resolution of terrain representation by a digital elevation model (DEM) on topographic shielding correction factors. Topographic metrics scale with the resolution of the elevation data, and terrain smoothing has a potentially large effect on the correction of terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide production rates for skyline shielding. For rough, high-relief landscapes, the effect of terrain smoothing can easily exceed analytical errors, and should be taken into account. Here we demonstrate the effect of terrain smoothing on topographic shielding correction factors for various topographic settings, and introduce an empirical model for the estimation of topographic shielding factors based on landscape metrics.

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Rock uplift and erosion rate history of the Bergell intrusion from the inversion of low temperature thermochronometric data

Fox

Reverman

Herman

et al. 2014

Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst.

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The Bergell intrusion (European Alps) was one of the first locations where thermochronometry was used to resolve changes in erosion rate, yet, relating these changes to variations in climate or in local tectonics remains challenging. One approach that enables changes in erosion rate to be related to changes in climate or rock uplift rate is to utilize landscape evolution models, as topographic response to these forcing parameters is unique. Furthermore, low temperature thermochronometric systems have the potential to resolve topography through time and thus topographic response. We present new (U-Th)/He data for samples collected across 2 km of relief from the Bergell. The ages range from $2 to $16 Ma and define an age elevation with an apparent exhumation rate of 0.1 km/Myr. In order to infer erosion rates, we use a thermokinematic model to solve the heat equation in the crust, track material points through time and predict thermochronometric data. Paleo-topography and erosion rate are parameterized using the stream power model. We find that rock uplift rates were 0.4 km/Myr from $25 to $20 Ma and subsequently decreased to 0.05 km/Myr. This results in a gradual decrease in erosion rate from rates of 0.4 to 0.1 km/Myr. A recent increase in rock uplift rate at $4 Ma to $0.6 km/Myr is required to explain the youngest ages and high topographic relief.

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Cosmogenic nuclide-based investigation of spatial erosion and hillslope channel coupling in the transient foreland of the Swiss Alps

Cited by 105 publications

References 35 publications

Erosion-driven uplift of the modern Central Alps

Erosion-driven uplift of the modern Central Alps

Effects of terrain smoothing on topographic shielding correction factors for cosmogenic nuclide‐derived estimates of basin‐averaged denudation rates

Rock uplift and erosion rate history of the Bergell intrusion from the inversion of low temperature thermochronometric data

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