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Laboratory and Field Protocol for Estimating Sheet Erosion Rates from Dendrogeomorphology
Published on: January 7, 2019
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The empirical basis for modelling glacial erosion rates
Simon J Cook1, Darrel A Swift2, Martin P Kirkbride3
1Geography and Environmental Science, School of Social Sciences, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK. s.y.cook@dundee.ac.uk.
Nature Communications
|February 8, 2020
Summary
Glacier sliding significantly drives erosion, with faster sliding leading to higher rates. High precipitation at temperate glaciers promotes sliding and enhances glacial erosion, a factor often overlooked in landscape models.
Area of Science:
- Earth surface processes
- Glaciology
- Geomorphology
Background:
- Glaciers are significant geomorphic agents shaping landscapes.
- Current landscape evolution models inadequately parameterize glacial erosion.
- The relationship between glacier sliding velocity, climate, and erosion lacks robust empirical support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish statistically robust relationships between glacial erosion rates, glacier sliding velocities, and climate variables.
- To improve the parameterization of glacial erosion in landscape evolution models.
- To investigate the role of precipitation in controlling glacier sliding and erosion.
Main Methods:
- Global compilation of data from 38 glaciers.
- Statistical analysis to determine correlations between erosion rates, sliding velocities, and climate parameters.
- Derivation of empirical relationships for glacial erosion modeling.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between glacier sliding velocity and erosion rate.
- Glaciers with high mean annual precipitation exhibit the most rapid erosion rates.
- Temperate glaciers with high precipitation promote faster sliding and thus increased erosion.
Conclusions:
- Glacier sliding velocity is a key, empirically supported factor controlling glacial erosion rates.
- Mean annual precipitation is a critical, underappreciated climate control on glacier sliding and erosion.
- Findings provide a more robust basis for incorporating glacial erosion into landscape evolution models.
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