River valley anomalies — One approach to the study of Fennoscandian bedrock relief

Abstract

The intricate problem of major Fennoscandian landforms has been studied along the following lines: Structural control, erosion surfaces, climatic geomorphological forms, glacial erosion, and river valley anomalies. The last-mentioned method of approach was tried several decades ago and is almost forgotten. It will be discussed here. Of special interest are the river captures at the main water divide. Clear cases are few compared with the great difference in river length on both sides. River gaps form the main group of discussed cases; the most striking ones are in the Swedish Caledonides. Less well known are the water gaps in pre-Cambrian Sweden. Local tectonic movements cannot be excluded as an explanation in most cases, but are not necessarily the explanation. More probable as a general explanation are lost sedimentary rocks, notably Cambro-Silurian. This means a stable shield area, slowly being stripped of a sedimentary cover in relation to varying rock resistance and undulations of the crystalline bas...