Spatial correlation between long-term exhumation rates and present-day forcing parameters in the western European Alps

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 2009 Spatial correlation between long-term exhumation rates and present-day forcing parameters in the western European Alps Antoine J. Vernon; Antoine J. Vernon 1School of Geosciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9-3JW, UK2Laboratoire de Géodynamique des Chaînes Alpines, Université Joseph Fourier, 38400 Grenoble, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peter A. van der Beek; Peter A. van der Beek 2Laboratoire de Géodynamique des Chaînes Alpines, Université Joseph Fourier, 38400 Grenoble, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Hugh D. Sinclair Hugh D. Sinclair 1School of Geosciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9-3JW, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2009) 37 (9): 859–862. https://doi.org/10.1130/G25740A.1 Article history received: 27 Dec 2008 rev-recd: 17 Apr 2009 accepted: 03 May 2009 first online: 02 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 Antoine J. Vernon, Peter A. van der Beek, Hugh D. Sinclair; Spatial correlation between long-term exhumation rates and present-day forcing parameters in the western European Alps. Geology 2009;; 37 (9): 859–862. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G25740A.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 The relative intensity of tectonic and climatic forcing in the western European Alps has been a matter of debate since the recognition of a significant 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 rock-uplift 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. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.