Geomorphic limits to climate-induced increases in topographic relief

Recognition of the potential for strong dynamic coupling between atmospheric and tectonic processes has sparked intense cross-disciplinary investigation and debate on the question of whether tectonics have driven long-term climate change or vice versa. It has been proposed that climate change might...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1999-09, Vol.401 (6748), p.39-43
Main Authors: Whipple, Kelin X, Kirby, Eric, Brocklehurst, Simon H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmosphere
Climate
Climate change
Dynamic tests
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Elevation
Exact sciences and technology
Geology
Geomorphology
Geomorphology, landform evolution
Humanities and Social Sciences
Mountains
multidisciplinary
Plate tectonics
Recognition
Ridges
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Surficial geology
Tectonics
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Summary:Recognition of the potential for strong dynamic coupling between atmospheric and tectonic processes has sparked intense cross-disciplinary investigation and debate on the question of whether tectonics have driven long-term climate change or vice versa. It has been proposed that climate change might have driven the uplift of mountain summits through an isostatic response to valley incision. Because isostasy acts to compensate mean elevations, the debate hinges on the question of whether climate change can significantly increase topographic relief or, more precisely, increase the volume of ‘missing mass’ between summits and ridges. Here we show that, in tectonically active mountain ranges, geomorphic constraints allow only a relatively small increase in topographic relief in response to climate change. Thus, although climate change may cause significant increases in denudation rates, potentially establishing an important feedback between surficial and crustal processes, neither fluvial nor glacial erosion is likely to induce significant isostatic peak uplift.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/43375