Opportunities and challenges for paleoaltimetry in “small” orogens: insights from the European alps

Botsyun, S., Ehlers, T. A. , Mutz, S.G. , Methner, K., Krsnik, E. and Mulch, A. (2020) Opportunities and challenges for paleoaltimetry in “small” orogens: insights from the European alps. Geophysical Research Letters, 47(4), e2019GL086. (doi: 10.1029/2019GL086046)

Abstract

Many stable isotope paleoaltimetry studies have focused on paleoelevation reconstructions of orogenic plateaus such as the Tibetan or Andean Plateaus. We address the opportunities and challenges of applying stable isotope paleoaltimetry to “smaller” orogens. We do this using a high-resolution isotope tracking general circulation model (ECHAM5-wiso) and explore the precipitation δ18O (δ18Op) signal of Cenozoic paleoclimate and topographic change in the European Alps. Results predict a maximum δ18Op change of 4–5‰ (relative to present day) during topographic development of the Alps. This signal of topographic change has the same magnitude as changes in δ18Op values resulting from Pliocene and Last Glacial Maximum global climatic change. Despite the similar magnitude of the isotopic signals resulting from topographic and paleoclimate changes, their spatial patterns across central Europe differ. Our results suggest that an integration of paleoclimate modeling, multiproxy approaches, and low-elevation reference proxy records distal from an orogen improve topographic reconstructions.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This study was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) grants EH329/19‐1and MU4188/1‐1 (to T.A.E. and S.G.M.)and ME4955/1‐1 and MU2845/6‐1 (toK. M. and A.M.) as part of DFG Priority Program MB‐4D (SPP‐2017).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ehlers, Professor Todd A. and Mutz, Dr Rer Nat Sebastian
• Authors: Botsyun, S., Ehlers, T. A., Mutz, S.G., Methner, K., Krsnik, E., and Mulch, A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0094-8276
• ISSN (Online): 1944-8007
• Published Online: 10 February 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright: © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Geophysical Research Letters 47(4): e2019GL086
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence
• Data DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3627550