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Glaciations in response to climate variations preconditioned by evolving topography
Vivi Kathrine Pedersen1, David Lundbek Egholm
1Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway. vivi.pedersen@geo.uib.no
Nature
|January 11, 2013
Summary
Glacial erosion creates unique topography that affects how Alpine glaciers respond to climate change. Previously glaciated landscapes experience rapid glacial expansion due to this distinct hypsometry, influencing erosion intensity.
Area of Science:
- Geomorphology
- Glaciology
- Quaternary Geology
Background:
- Landscapes shaped by glacial erosion exhibit characteristic elevation-dependent surface area distributions (hypsometry).
- Hypsometry is influenced by climatic gradients, concentrating surface area near the snowline.
- The impact of glacial hypsometry on glacial extent and erosion has not been fully explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how glacial hypsometry influences the climatic sensitivity of Alpine glaciers.
- To examine the effect of hypsometric distribution on glaciation intensity over long timescales.
- To understand the role of pre-Pleistocene glacial modification in shaping Quaternary glaciations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of topographic data and glacial landforms.
- Modeling of glacial extent and erosion dynamics.
- Comparison of glacial behavior in newly and previously glaciated landscapes.
Main Results:
- The relationship between climate variations and glacial area extent is highly dependent on landscape modification.
- Newly glaciated landscapes show a linear climate-glacial area relationship.
- Previously glaciated landscapes exhibit nonlinear, rapid glacial expansions once the snowline reaches the hypsometric maximum.
Conclusions:
- Pre-mid-Pleistocene glacial erosion preconditioned landscapes, leading to significant changes in glacial extent and erosion during the late Pleistocene.
- Topography exerts a strong control on recent Quaternary glaciations.
- This mechanism explains observed patterns in European Alps glacial history.
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