Variety Of Landforms Research Articles

Disjunct distribution and distinct intraspecific diversification of Eothenomys melanogaster in South China

BackgroundSouth China encompasses complex and diverse landforms, giving rise to high biological diversity and endemism from the Hengduan Mountains to Taiwan Island. Many species are widely distributed across South China with similar disjunct distribution patterns. To explore the causes of these disjunct distribution patterns and their genetic consequences, we investigated the endemic species Père David’s Chinese Vole (Eothenomys melanogaster) by integrating geological and ecological factors. We analysed the genetic structure and divergence time of E. melanogaster based on fast-evolving mitochondrial and nuclear markers using Bayesian trees and coalescent species tree approaches. Historical scenarios of distribution range and demography were reconstructed based on spatial interpolations of genetic diversity and distance, extended Bayesian skyline plots, phylogeographic diffusion analysis, and ecological niche modelling (ENM) during different periods. We also assessed the relationships between geographical distance/ecological vicariance and genetic distance (isolation by distance, IBD; isolation by environment, IBE).ResultsThe genetic analysis revealed three deeply divergent clades—Southeast, Southwest and Central clades, centred on the Wuyi Mountains, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (YGP) and the mountains around the Sichuan Basin, respectively—that have mostly developed since the Pleistocene. IBD played an important role in early divergence, and geological events (sedimentation of plains and linking of palaeo-rivers) and IBE further reinforced genetic differentiation. ENM shows the importance of suitable habitats and elevations.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the primary cause of the disjunct distribution in E. melanogaster is the high dependence on middle-high-altitude habitat in the current period. Mountains in the occurence range have served as “sky islands” for E. melanogaster and hindered gene flow. Pleistocene climatic cycles facilitated genetic admixture in cold periods and genetic diversification in warm periods for inland clades. During cold periods, these cycles led to multiple colonization events between the mainland and Taiwan and erased genetic differentiation.

Landform Recognition in Granite Mountains in East Asia (Seoraksan, Republic of Korea, and Huangshan and Sanqingshan, China) – A Contribution of Geomorphology to the UNESCO World Heritage

Abstract Applied research in geomorphology includes landform analysis and evaluation from a specific perspective of scientific significance and global relevance. In this paper, landform diversity of Seoraksan, Republic of Korea, a UNESCO World Heritage candidate, is compared with geomorphic characteristics of two World Heritage properties in China, Huangshan and Sanqingshan. Seoraksan represents an almost complete mountain geomorphic system of considerable contemporary dynamics, with outstanding scenery and spectacular landforms such as domes, fins, bedrock channels, waterfalls, and inherited block fields. It is argued that Seoraksan contains outstanding scientific and aesthetic values, not present at the Chinese properties, offering scope for successful nomination.

High mountain relief in marble in Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria: structure, specifics and evolution

The present article is focused on high mountain relief in marble, which combines glacial, periglacial and karstic morphology. High mountain karst is found in Northern Pirin (Vihren and Sinanitsa area) and central Pirin (Orelek area), the latter lacking traces of glaciation due to its low altitude. In the most representative area, Vihren part, several vast and deep cirques-uvalas were formed, which comprise a large diversity of landforms. Main factor for the specifics of relief in marble is the structure of the rock, which combines carbonate mineral content and crystalline properties; they favour both the occurrence of karstification and frost weathering. The high elevation of Northern Pirin (up to 2914 m a.s.l.), and the resulting extensive former glaciation enhanced the karst processes by weathering of the morphological surface. At present, surface karst is most developed on elevated sections of cirque bottoms, which were ice free before the beginning of the Holocene and are away from rockfall creep accumulation. A special element of glaciokarstic relief in Pirin are the summer lasting snow/ice features (glacierets and snow patches), two of which are considered centuries old, and still survive despite the temperature warming. In general, karst processes in the high mountain areas of Pirin are less developed than in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula (the Dinarides), due to the greater susceptibility of marble to physical weathering compared to limestone, which leads to a more intensive formation of regolith on the surface, and in result of the generally colder and dryer climate.

Earth surface processes and their effects on human behavior in monsoonal China during the Pleistocene-Holocene epochs

There is a wide diversity of landforms in China. The topography of three major terraces, decreasing in height stepwise from west to east, was formed by the early Miocene. With the commencement of the Great Northern Hemisphere Glaciations (GHGs) and the glacial-interglacial cycles in the Pleistocene, thick loess deposits accumulated in north China, and fluvial terraces were formed and lakes expanded and contracted in eastern and central China. The earliest evidence of hominins in China is dated to ∼1.7 Ma; they occupied the monsoon-dominated region for a long interval, until the late Pleistocene, ∼50 ka. In this study, we investigated a large area rich in the relics and artifacts of early man. The results indicate that the early humans occupied riverine areas, especially medium-sized fluvial basins, and lake shores. Even in the relatively recent geological past, the occupation and abandonment of settlements were directly forced by the shifting of sand dune fields in the desert-loess transitional zone, which in turn was closely associated with variations in the monsoon climate and vegetation patterns. Our observations indicate that landforms were one of the main determinants of early human behavior, in that loess tableland, large alluvial plains, desert-Gobi areas, and the Tibetan Plateau, were not suitable environments for early human settlement. We infer that the early humans in China adapted their behavior to specific landforms and landform processes. The monsoon climate, which shapes the large-scale step-like pattern of fluvial landforms, promotes vegetation coverage and dominates soil formation, provides a crucial context for early human adaptation. The adaptation of early humans to earth surface processes in East Asia is investigated for the first time in this study. Future investigations will provide further information that will increase our understanding of the linkage between early human behavior and landform processes in East Asia.

Analyzing landform patterns in the monumental landscape of the northern Great Lakes, 1200–1600 CE

Monuments create permanent and predictable contexts and so they offered a particularly powerful way for past societies to reconfigure their landscapes in response to variable social and ecological factors. We examine the monumental landscape of the Late Precontact (ca. 1200–1600CE) northern Great Lakes using a longstanding tool of landscape archaeology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In line with the growing recognition of the need to move beyond point-to-point GIS analyses to realize dynamic insights into past landscapes, we turned to multivariate total landscape geospatial modeling increasingly common in ecology. Specifically, we used a total landscape model of landforms—a compound, stable, and archaeologically relevant measure of landscape heterogeneity. We conducted a multi-scalar computation of Shannon's equitability to assess landform diversity in terms of both abundance and evenness and examined the positioning of monumental earthwork enclosures across north-central Michigan in relation to this measure. We found enclosures were non-randomly located in areas with high landform abundance and evenness, a nuanced positioning that patterned regionally but also relied on detailed, local socioecological knowledge. The positioning of earthwork enclosures in areas of increased landform diversity was one way indigenous communities crafted a monumental landscape to navigate the restricted social, economic, and ideological setting of Late Precontact (ca. 1200–1600CE). Our study offers one example of the ways archaeologists can harness the power of geospatial technologies to gain insight into the variegated landscapes people inhabited in the past—places that were composed of ecology, other peoples, non-human beings and the constant flow of interactions between them.

Relations between Biotic and Abiotic Diversity in Abandoned Basalt Quarry and Its Relevance for Ecological Restoration (Radobýl Hill, Northern Czechia)

The ecological value of abandoned quarries has gained increasing scientific attention in the last few decades, resulting in a paradigm shift in restoration programs regarding the use of natural processes. The linkages between biotic and abiotic diversity, such as landform and microclimatic diversity have been analyzed only slightly, however. In this paper, we use an interdisciplinary approach that includes vegetation mapping, geomorphological mapping, microclimatic measurements and modeling to reveal the specific two‑way linkages between abiotoc and biotic diversity. The present case study shows that in only 60 years landform diversity allowed the development of nine distinct biotopes with 134 identified species. At the same time, the vegetation diversity at these human‑induced biotopes is of high ecological value as it displays significant similarities with natural biotopes in the region (e.g., scree slope and rock cliff biotopes). Based on the results presented, the paper aims to contribute to current restoration programs involving processes of spontaneous succession and landforming.

Geomorphodiversity index: Quantifying the diversity of landforms and physical landscape.

The physical landscape is the mosaic resulting from a wide spectrum of environmental components. The landforms define the variety, or diversity, of the geomorphological component: the geomorphodiversity. Landforms are usually represented in thematic maps where the scale and the graphic solutions are widely heterogeneous. Since geomorphological maps are not always easy to obtain and standardize, topography might be used as a proxy to infer the morphological signature. To recognize, evaluate, and in some cases promote the geomorphodiversity of an area, a numerical assessment is preferable. Through the use of quantitative approaches, indexes can be defined which quantitatively characterize the physical landscape in a discretized space consisting of continuous and regular cells. In this approach each cell is labelled with an algebraic value, which increases with the diversity degree. In this paper a quantitative index for geomorphodiversity is estimated stressing the topographic variables derived from Digital Elevation Models in a GIS environment. The resulting index is the sum of the variety of each terrain parameter taken into account. The areas characterized by the highest value of geomorphodiversity index show a good correspondence with well-known situations in the region where not always the geological heritage is properly acknowledged. The areas characterized by the lowest value of geodiversity correspond to the center of some intermountain basins of the region. Being the index strictly related to the topographic variety, this result is quite obvious but not easily predictable since in some flat areas the index is higher. Comparing the results with the geomorphological map of the area performs a validation procedure for the method. A positive correlation is found between the index calculated and the presence/absence of landforms. The paper shows that the index is a useful and simple tool for the identification, analysis and promotion of the geological heritage.

Artifact Assemblages from San Augustine County, Texas, Sites Recorded in 1939-1940 by Gus E. Arnold

During the 1939-1940 WPA-sponsored archaeological survey of East Texas, Gus E. Arnold was particularly active in identifying and recording sites in San Augustine County, in the East Texas Pineywoods (see Perttula 2015a, 2017a), as well as sites along Patroon, Palo Gaucho, and Housen bayous in neighboring Sabine County (Perttula 2015b, 2017b), and sites in the Angelina River basin in Angelina County (Perttula 2016c). During his archaeological survey efforts, he collected substantial assemblages of ceramic and lithic artifact assemblages (curated by the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin), primarily due to the fact that the surface of sites were well-exposed because of plowing, and he was encouraged to collect robust artifact assemblages by A. T. Jackson, the WPA survey director at The University of Texas at Austin. This article concerns the analysis of the recovered artifact assemblages from 14 different WPA sites in various parts of San Augustine County (Figure 1). The 14 archaeological sites are situated in several different stream basins, on a variety of landforms (i.e., floodplain rise, alluvial terrace, and upland ridge), including the Attoyac Bayou basin (41SA1 on Attoyac Bayou; 41SA5, at junction of Little and Big Arenosa Creek; 41SA24 on Price Creek; 41SA9, 41SA15, and 41SA16, Arenosa Creek), Patroon Bayou in the Sabine River basin (41SA11 and 41SA32), Palo Gaucho Bayou in the Sabine River basin (41SA108), Ayish Bayou (41SA77, 41SA80, 41SA95, and 41SA96) in the Angelina River basin; and Hog-Harvey creeks (41SA85) in the Angelina River basin. According to Arnold, these sites ranged from 1-6 acres in size, based on the surface distribution of artifacts as well as the extent of the landforms. In the case of the Hanks site (41SA80), midden deposits marked by mussel shells and animal bones were preserved there. The landowner had also previously collected two ceramic pipes, a celt, and a 33 cm long notched chert biface from the site. Burned and unburned animal bones were also noted on the surface of the Frost Johnson Lumber Co. site (41SA5); and burials associated with ceramic vessels and other material remains were noted when the site was first put into cultivation. Whole ceramic vessels from ancestral Caddo burial features had been reported to have eroded out of the Allan Howill (41SA24) and J. McGilberry (41SA85) sites. The Allan Howill site also had mussel shells and fragments of animal bone visible on the surface, and an area with ancestral Caddo burials (at least three with skeletal remains) was reported on the edge of an upland bluff there. Arnold also excavated several test pits of unknown size at the D. C. Hines site (41SA95), where he encountered archaeological deposits between ca. 60-76 cm bs. Arnold also noted “exceptionally large quantities of petrified wood, chert and flint flakes and chips cover the surface” of the D. C. Hines site.

Geomorphological mapping of Messogia plain (East Attica, Greece).

This study concerns the geomorphological mapping of the area included in the map sheets Koropi and Plaka of the Hellenic Military Geographical Service map distribution in scale 1:50.000. This is an extensive area of East Attica which presents a complex terrain and a wide variety of landforms, due to its intense tectonism and the natural processes that shaped its morphology. The primary data that were used in the creation of the map mainly included geological and topographic maps, from which thematic layers of the topography, hydrography and geology were constructed through GIS processes. A Digital Elevation Model was also constructed, from which the slope and aspect maps were created. The thematic maps of slοpe and lithology were classified into categories, which were combined to constitute detection criteria of landforms. Decisive contribution in mapping was provided by the available orthophotomaps and aerial photographs, as well as the field work. Finally, with the appropriate combination of colors and symbols the geomorphological map of the study area was produced.

Evidence for geologic processes on comets

AbstractSpacecraft missions have resolved the nuclei of six periodic comets and revealed a set of geologically intriguing and active small bodies. The shapes of these cometary nuclei are dominantly bilobate reflecting their formation from smaller cometesimals. Cometary surfaces include a diverse set of morphologies formed from a variety of mechanisms. Sublimation of ices, driven by the variable insolation over the time since each nucleus was perturbed into the inner Solar System, is a major process on comets and is likely responsible for quasi‐circular depressions and ubiquitous layering. Sublimation from near‐vertical walls is also seen to lead to undercutting and mass wasting. Fracturing has only been resolved on one comet but likely exists on all comets. There is also evidence for mass redistribution, where material lifted off the nucleus by subliming gases is deposited onto other surfaces. It is surprising that such sedimentary processes are significant in the microgravity environment of comets. There are many enigmatic features on cometary surfaces including tall spires, kilometer‐scale flows, and various forms of depressions and pits. Furthermore, even after accounting for the differences in resolution and coverage, significant diversity in landforms among cometary surfaces clearly exists. Yet why certain landforms occur on some comets and not on others remains poorly understood. The exploration and understanding of geologic processes on comets is only beginning. These fascinating bodies will continue to provide a unique laboratory for examining common geologic processes under the uncommon conditions of very high porosity, very low strength, small particle sizes, and near‐zero gravity.

Tales of island tails: biogeomorphic development and management of barrier islands

The Frisian islands (Southern North Sea) have extensive island tails, i.e. the entire downdrift side of an island consisting of salt marshes, dunes, beaches and beach plains, and green beaches. Currently, large parts of these tails are ageing and losing dynamics, partly due to human influence. This may mean a loss of young stages on the long term, and current management is not enough to counteract this. To aid the development of new interventions aiming at (re)introducing natural dynamics, a conceptual model of island-tail development under natural and disturbed conditions was developed, based on existing data, field visits and literature. The development of an island tail follows the general pattern of biogeomorphic succession. The first phase consists of a bare beach plain. In the second phase, embryonic dunes form. In the third phase, green beaches, dunes and salt marshes form, including drainage by creeks and washovers. In the fourth phase, vegetation succession continues and the morphology stabilises. Human interference (such as sand dikes and embankments) reduces natural dynamics and increases succession speed, leading to a reduction in the diversity in landforms and vegetation types. Both for natural and human-influenced island tails, succession is the dominant process and large-scale rejuvenation only occurs spontaneously when large-scale processes cause erosion or sedimentation. Island tails cannot be kept permanently in a young successional stage by reintroducing natural dynamics through management interventions, as biogeomorphic succession is dominant. However, such interventions may result in local and temporal rejuvenation when tailored to the specific situation.

Study on the marine sedimentary environment evolution of the southern Laizhou Bay under the impact of port projects

The southern Laizhou Bay is mainly composed of silt-sandy coasts with diverse landforms, and its marine hydrodynamic environment is sensitive to human activities. Marine hydrodynamic and sedimentary environments of the study area have changed under the influence of large-scale port projects in recent years. In this paper, the evolution of hydrodynamic environment, deposition rate, and geochemical characteristics were studied based on sediment grain size, element analysis and 210Pb dating of two cores, in order to analyze the influence of Weifang Port on marine environmental evolution, and provide theoretical and practical basis for protecting marine environment in developing marine resources reasonably. Results showed that sediments of the two cores were relatively coarser and mainly composed of silty sand. Sediments above 230 cm in core WF1 and 218 cm in core WF2 were deposited since 1855 when the Yellow River appeared to deposit its sediments within the modern active delta, and the average deposition rate was between 0.3 and 0.5 cm a−1. Implement of Weifang Port projects in 1997 and 2007 created great influence on the sedimentary environment evolution in the surrounding waters, and the deposition rate was significantly increased. The average annual deposition rates were 5.1 cm and 3.5 cm in WF1 and WF2 respectively between 1997 and 2007. Content of heavy metals in sediments showed no obvious change in the vertical, indicating that the heavy metals were less affected by human activity and there was no significant accumulation of such metals in the study area.

Geomorphology of the Ampato volcanic complex (Southern Peru)

ABSTRACTFew detailed geomorphological maps of the Central Andes are available despite the wide diversity of landforms. We present a 1:20,000 geomorphological map of the Ampato volcanic complex resulting from the interpretation of vertical aerial photographs (1955), MrSID resolution satellite image and oblique aerial photographs (1943). To classify the relief, Simonov [(1972). Regional geomorphological analysis [in Russian]. Moscow: Mosk. Gos. Univ] criteria are combined with the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC) method. The use of both techniques allows us to represent 35 landform types distributed over an area of 930 km2 and to identify the geomorphic processes involved in their morphogenesis.

Geomorphologic Model of Gunungsewu Karst, Gunung Kidul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Territory, Indonesia: The Role of Lithologic Variation and Geologic Structure

Abstract: Gunungsewu is a karst terrain that shows unique geomorphologic phenomena. The area is mainly composed of limestone of Wonosari Formation. Interaction of tectonic, erosion, denudation, and deposition occurred since Miocene period brings about diversity of landforms that supporting the development of this area as a natural laboratory, specific interest, scientific and educational tourisms. In general the geomorphology of Gunungsewu can be classified into two groups of landforms, the first is positive relief and the second is negative relief. The positive relief includes hills of conical, dome, convex-cone, convex and ridge. The negative relief involves cave, shaft, doline, uvala, locva and polje. This diversity is influenced by variation of physical properties of rock composing the landforms, such as hardness, internal friction angle, and geologic structures including thickness and position of bedding plane as well as joint pattern. Key words: Geomorphology, karst, rock properties, geologic structures.

A new statistical method of assigning vehicles to delivery areas for CO2 emissions reduction

Transportation CO2 emissions are expected to increase in the following decades, and thus, new and better alternatives to reduce emissions are needed. Road transport emissions are explained by different factors, such as the type of vehicle, delivery operation and driving style. Because different cities may have conditions that are characterized by diversity in landforms, congestion, driving styles, etc., the importance of assigning the proper vehicle to serve a particular region within the city provides alternatives to reduce CO2 emissions. In this article, we propose a new methodology that results in assigning trucks to deliver in areas such that the CO2 emissions are minimized. Our methodology clusters the delivery areas based on the performance of the vehicle fleet by using the k-means algorithm and Tukey’s method. The output is then used to define the optimal CO2 truck-area assignment. We illustrate the proposed approach for a parcel company that operates in Mexico City and demonstrate that it is a practical alternative to reduce transportation CO2 emissions by matching vehicle type with delivery areas.

Ecologically-Relevant Maps of Landforms and Physiographic Diversity for Climate Adaptation Planning.

Key to understanding the implications of climate and land use change on biodiversity and natural resources is to incorporate the physiographic platform on which changes in ecological systems unfold. Here, we advance a detailed classification and high-resolution map of physiography, built by combining landforms and lithology (soil parent material) at multiple spatial scales. We used only relatively static abiotic variables (i.e., excluded climatic and biotic factors) to prevent confounding current ecological patterns and processes with enduring landscape features, and to make the physiographic classification more interpretable for climate adaptation planning. We generated novel spatial databases for 15 landform and 269 physiographic types across the conterminous United States of America. We examined their potential use by natural resource managers by placing them within a contemporary climate change adaptation framework, and found our physiographic databases could play key roles in four of seven general adaptation strategies. We also calculated correlations with common empirical measures of biodiversity to examine the degree to which the physiographic setting explains various aspects of current biodiversity patterns. Additionally, we evaluated the relationship between landform diversity and measures of climate change to explore how changes may unfold across a geophysical template. We found landform types are particularly sensitive to spatial scale, and so we recommend using high-resolution datasets when possible, as well as generating metrics using multiple neighborhood sizes to both minimize and characterize potential unknown biases. We illustrate how our work can inform current strategies for climate change adaptation. The analytical framework and classification of landforms and parent material are easily extendable to other geographies and may be used to promote climate change adaptation in other settings.

Landform diversity in LiDAR-derived elevation models exemplified by an area in central Sweden

Landform diversity in LiDAR-derived elevation models exemplified by an area in central Sweden

Linkages among ecotourism, landscape and natural resource management, and livelihood diversification in the region of Suğla Lake, Turkey

The purpose of this study is to evaluate opportunities of the region of Suğla Lake located in Turkey for community-based ecotourism development that enable sustainable landscape and natural resource management as well as livelihood diversification. A participatory research approach was applied by participation of a diverse number of stakeholders (e.g. local communities, local and central governmental bodies and researchers). A set of participatory research tools (e.g. interviews and field surveys), SWOT analysis and the method of Ecotourism Opportunity Spectrum (ECOS) were used to collect and evaluate relevant data. The study consists of four sections. The first section focuses on SWOT analysis by which the advantages and disadvantages of the study area for ecotourism development were examined. In the second section, the most suitable villages for ecotourism development were examined by adapting the method of ECOS based on the 18 parameters by using 1–4 score system. Accordingly, the most suitable five villages for ecotourism development were determined. Major natural and cultural ecotourism resources (e.g. diversity of landforms, spectacular landscapes and traditional lifestyle) of the study area were examined in the third section. In the fourth section, the ecotourism-based livelihood and relevant core capitals were evaluated according to 1–4 score system for the five villages. We hope that the outcomes of this study can draw attention of planners and policymakers to the role of ecotourism for sustainable landscape and natural resource management as well as livelihood diversification in the region and elsewhere.

Glaciovolcanism at Volcán Sollipulli, southern Chile: Lithofacies analysis and interpretation

Magma–ice–meltwater interactions produce diverse landforms and lithofacies, reflecting the multitude of factors that influence glaciovolcanism, including both magmatic (e.g., composition, eruption rate) and glacial (e.g., ice thickness, thermal regime) conditions. This is exemplified by the walls of the partly ice-filled summit caldera of Volcán Sollipulli, a stratovolcano in southern Chile, which include lithofacies from eruptions of a wide range of magma compositions beneath or in contact with ice. Here we analyse these lithofacies and hence propose new interpretations of the eruptive and glacial history of Sollipulli. The facies include a thick, laterally extensive sequence of fragmental glaciovolcanic deposits, comprising massive, mafic lava pillow-bearing hyaloclastite overlain by sills and then hyaloclastic debris flow deposits (similar to Dalsheidi-type sequences). The distribution and thickness of these units indicate an unusual abundance of magma–meltwater interaction for an arc stratovolcano in temperate latitudes, perhaps due to eruptions beneath a thick ice cap. Coherent lava coulées, domes, lobes, and stacks of basaltic andesite–trachydacite composition are present around the top of the caldera rim; these display morphologies and fracture patterns on caldera-facing margins that indicate that the caldera was filled with ice when these lavas were erupted. The lithofacies characterised in this study demonstrate the diversity of glaciovolcanism that is possible at arc stratovolcanoes capped by temperate ice or with ice-filled calderas, and the potential for uncertainties in inference of the palaeoenvironmental conditions of their emplacement.

Diagnostic characteristics and paleodynamics of supraglacial rock avalanches, Innerdalen, Western Norway

Misinterpretation of rock-avalanche deposits in mountain environments is not uncommon because of the complex interactions between rock avalanches and glaciers. This paper for the first time presents a detailed description of suspicious rock-boulder deposits, which are remnants of a rock avalanche onto a Late Pleistocene glacier. The boulder deposits cover around 1.1km2 and are distributed over an area of around 7.5km2 and a variety of landforms: three closely nested distinct terminal moraines (0.45km2) and dislocated terminal moraines (0.34km2) entirely built up of large boulders, lateral moraines that decrease in elevation over a short distance and connect to the terminal moraines, small patches (0.02km2) of boulders that occur in islands on a peat-dominated valley floor, and large patches of boulder fields (0.25km2 in size) hanging 350m above the valley floor. The latter are disconnected from any potential source area. 10Be cosmogenic nuclide ages of the three terminal moraines give an indistinguishable Late Pleistocene age of 13.6±1.4ka, whereas the largest boulder field that is located on the opposite side of the valley from the failed mountain yields a 10Be age of 14.1±0.4ka, which is slightly older but indistinguishable from the moraine deposits within uncertainty margins. All boulder deposits add up to a volume of 31×106m3. The interpretation of a single rock-avalanche source for those landforms is further confirmed by numerical runout modeling using DAN3D. A failure of the entire volume from Skarfjellet Mountain would result in a runout pattern that is identical to that of the distributed boulder fields when considering that the valley was filled with a glacier around 350m thick. The rock avalanche would not reach the position of the terminal moraines; however, a glacial re-advance could have transported the boulders to that position. The Late Pleistocene rock avalanche was followed by a Holocene rock avalanche with a volume of 23×106m3 and a typical lobate deposit damming the Innerdalen Valley and creating a lake. 10Be ages indicate that this event occurred 7.97±0.94ka ago. Structural measurements performed on high-resolution LiDAR scans show a strongly jointed source rock with three joint sets with dip/dip direction 81/034, 86/331, and 77/354 and a foliation with 22/003. The kinematic of the failures can thus be a combination of small-scale wedge failures and planar sliding on shallow dipping foliation. Our detailed description can enable a better identification and interpretation of similar deposits in other mountain areas.