Hurst, M.D. , Mudd, S.M., Attal, M. and Hilley, G. (2013) Hillslopes record the growth and decay of landscapes. Science, 341(6148), pp. 868-871. (doi: 10.1126/science.1241791) (PMID:23970695)
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Abstract
The Earth's surface archives the combined history of tectonics and erosion, which tend to roughen landscapes, and sediment transport and deposition, which smooth them. We analyzed hillslope morphology in the tectonically active Dragon’s Back Pressure Ridge in California, USA, to assess whether tectonic uplift history can be reconstructed using measurable attributes of hillslope features within landscapes. Hilltop curvature and hillslope relief mirror measured rates of vertical displacement caused by tectonic forcing, and their relationships are consistent with those expected when idealizing hillslope transport as a non-linear diffusion process. Hilltop curvature lags behind relief in its response to changing erosion rates, allowing growing landscapes to be distinguished from decaying landscapes. Numerical modeling demonstrates that hillslope morphology may be used to infer changes in tectonic rates.
| Item Type: | Articles |
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| Additional Information: | This work was supported by a National Environmental Research Council grant (NE/G524128/1) awarded to M.D.H. and by grant NE/H001174/1 and a grant from the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland to S.M.M. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Hurst, Dr Martin |
| Authors: | Hurst, M.D., Mudd, S.M., Attal, M., and Hilley, G. |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GA Mathematical geography. Cartography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography Q Science > QE Geology |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences |
| Journal Name: | Science |
| Publisher: | American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| ISSN: | 0036-8075 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1095-9203 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2013 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Science 341(6148): 868-871 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
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