Reconstructing Spatial Patterns of Glacial Erosion: A New Approach Using Cosmogenic Nuclides

埃尔莫尔，大卫普渡大学。 这项研究将使用宇宙成因核素技术来解决山区地理学中的一个经典问题-山谷规模冰川侵蚀的空间格局。 围绕冰川地貌形成过程的力学机制的争论尚未解决。 一个制约因素是缺乏对冰前形式的可靠知识。 岩石中的宇宙成因放射性核素确实提供了有关岩石表面物质过去侵蚀的信息。 这些信息加上预测侵蚀空间模式作为侵蚀机制和控制的函数的方法，可以提供对山谷规模侵蚀模式和过程的新认识。 为了测试这种方法，宇宙成因核素技术将被用来测量研究地点在中波波阿吉流域，怀俄明州和南尤巴河峡谷，加州的基岩损失。 这项研究将展示宇宙成因核素方法如何用于重建大规模的基岩侵蚀模式。 研究结果将增强我们对山谷地形的理解，并提供有关景观发展在改变气候变化和冰川作用之间关系方面作用的新信息。

Elmore, David Purdue U. This research will use cosmogenic nuclide techniques to address a classic issue in mountain geography-the spatial pattern of valley-scale glacial erosion. The debate which centers about the mechanics of process in the formation of glacial landforms is unresolved. A constraint has been the lack of reliable knowledge of the pre-glacial form. Cosmogenic radionuclides in rock do provide information about past erosion of material from the rock surfaces. This information coupled with approaches that predict the spatial pattern of erosion as a function of erosion mechanisms and controls can provide new understanding of valley-scale erosion patterns and processes. To test the approach, cosmogenic nuclide techniques will be used to measure bedrock loss at study sites in the Middle Popo Agie drainage basin, Wyoming and the South Yuba River Gorge, California. The research will demonstrate how cosmogenic nuclide approaches can be used to reconstruct large-scale patterns of bedrock erosion. The results will enhance our understanding of valley-scale topography and provide new information on the role of landscape development in altering the relationship between climate change and glaciation.