Pre-glacial topography of the European Alps

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2012 Pre-glacial topography of the European Alps Pietro Sternai; Pietro Sternai * Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland *E-mail: pietro.sternai@erdw.ethz.ch. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Frédéric Herman; Frédéric Herman Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jean-Daniel Champagnac; Jean-Daniel Champagnac Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Matthew Fox; Matthew Fox Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Bernhard Salcher; Bernhard Salcher Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sean D. Willett Sean D. Willett Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2012) 40 (12): 1067–1070. https://doi.org/10.1130/G33540.1 Article history received: 17 Apr 2012 rev-recd: 07 Jun 2012 accepted: 13 Jun 2012 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Pietro Sternai, Frédéric Herman, Jean-Daniel Champagnac, Matthew Fox, Bernhard Salcher, Sean D. Willett; Pre-glacial topography of the European Alps. Geology 2012;; 40 (12): 1067–1070. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G33540.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We present a topographic reconstruction of the European Alps prior to Quaternary glaciation, based on the assumption that this topography was a steady-state fluvial landscape eroding according to a stream-power law, but with spatially variable channel steepness. We find high pre-glacial channel steepness in the western Alps and on the harder rocks of the basement and metamorphic nappes, while lower values are often associated with weaker Alpine flysch deposits. The reconstructed pre-glacial river network also provides an estimate of distribution and magnitude of glacial erosion and associated isostatic adjustment, suggesting an increase of valley-scale topographic relief and decrease of mean elevation throughout glaciation. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.