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Spatial correlation between long-term exhumation rates and present-day forcing parameters in the western European Alps.
- Source :
-
Geology . Sep2009, Vol. 37 Issue 9, p859-862. 4p. 1 Chart, 1 Graph, 7 Maps. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- The relative intensity of tectonic and climatic forcing in the western European Alps has been a matter of debate since the recognition of a signifi cant increase in denudation rates over the past few million years. We address this question by quantitatively correlating the spatial pattern of long-term exhumation rates with those of potential short-term tectonic, climatic, and morphologic variables. We find that present-day rock-uplift rates (as measured by geodesy relative to a specific reference point) and mean elevation are correlated with long-term exhumation rates, whereas relief, present-day precipitation, discharge, stream power, and released seismic energy are not, or are only weakly, correlated. We attribute the lack of correlation between long-term exhumation and precipitation to a strong temporal variability in climate and erosional processes during Pliocene-Pleistocene time. The correlations among present-day rock-uplift rates, present-day elevations, and long-term exhumation rates suggest that rockuplift rates have been sustained for millions of years, consistent with rock-uplift rates being the isostatic response to crustal unloading. The lack of a correlation of the released seismic energy with either rock uplift or long-term exhumation denies active tectonics supporting evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00917613
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Geology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 44497826
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1130/G25740A.1