Abstract
ABSTRACT The Gaick is an enigmatic glaciated landscape in the Central Grampians, Scotland, dominated by an expansive dissected plateau. Previous studies have postulated widely differing interpretations of the glacial landforms and current understanding of the glacial events in this area is partly restricted by the absence of detailed glacial geomorphological mapping. To address this issue, we present a comprehensive 1: 46,000-scale glacial geomorphological map, covering an area of ∼520 km2. A combination of detailed field mapping and interpretation of aerial photographs and Digital Surface Models (DSMs) has revealed a variety of glacial, periglacial and fluvial landforms, including an abundance of moraines and meltwater channels within valleys. We also identify a glacial sediment-landform assemblage, dissected glaciogenic material, that has not previously been reported in the Scottish Highlands. The geomorphological map provides the necessary foundation for elucidating the extent, dynamics and timing of former glaciation in the area.
Highlights
Geomorphological mapping of glacial landforms in Britain and Ireland has allowed the compilation of vast inventories of geomorphological data that have been used to produce reconstructions of former ice masses and provide insights into former glacier dynamics
The geomorphological mapping focused on sediment-landform assemblages that could potentially be utilised for glacier reconstruction using established morphostratigraphic procedures
The glacial geomorphological map presented here provides a detailed record of the glacial landforms in the Gaick that can be used to significantly enhance our knowledge of glacial and climatic events in the region
Summary
Geomorphological mapping of glacial landforms in Britain and Ireland has allowed the compilation of vast inventories of geomorphological data that have been used to produce reconstructions of former ice masses and provide insights into former glacier dynamics (see Bickerdike, Evans, Ó Cofaigh, & Stokes, 2016; Bickerdike, Evans, Stokes, & Ó Cofaigh, 2018; Bickerdike, Ó Cofaigh, Evans, & Stokes, 2018; Clark et al, 2004, 2018; Hughes, Clark, & Jordan, 2014, and references therein). Ballantyne, 2002a, 2007a, 2007b; Barr, Roberson, Flood, & Dortch, 2017; Bendle & Glasser, 2012; Benn & Ballantyne, 2005; Boston, Lukas, & Carr, 2015; Finlayson, Golledge, Bradwell, & Fabel, 2011; Lukas & Bradwell, 2010) Despite this large body of research, there remain several areas in Britain and Ireland where past glacial events remain poorly constrained, in large part due to the paucity of detailed geomorphological mapping in those areas. This situation is exemplified by the Gaick, a dissected plateau in the Central Grampians, Scotland (Figure 1). This paper presents a detailed glacial geomorphological map of the Gaick, providing the basis for establishing the glacial history of the area
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