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Content archived on 2024-05-27

Influence of periodic climate changes on the evolution of mountain ranges

Objective

Recent studies have highlighted complex linkages among erosion, tectonics and climate in active mountain belts. Although the exact nature of those interactions is still widely debated, clearly they have a crucial impact on the evolution of geologic systems. Furthermore, it is well known that Late Cenozoic climate oscillates between glacial and interglacial periods at time scales of 10-100 kyrs. Yet, the effects of climate variability at these frequencies are seldom considered in studies of the evolution of active mountain belts. For this reason, we propose to investigate the impact of oscillating climate in such settings. We are motivated to understand how specific climatic frequencies influence the rates, patterns and modalities of tectonic deformation and surface processes in those contexts. We hypothesize that the dynamics of orogens are sensitive at “climatic” timescales to the removal and imposition of loads via erosion and glacial or sedimentary loading, respectively. Our study will focus on the Central Himalayas: a highly suitable site given its tectonic and geomorphic activity and the large dataset available. We will examine the climatically dependent, time and space evolution of fluvial and glacial erosion and explore the impact on the tectonic and geomorphic evolution of the range. To achieve those goals we will develop an integrated approach that spans spatial scales ranging from the catchment to the whole mountain range, in order to capture the specific processes involved and reconcile them over the different scales. A key element of this research will be its multidisciplinarity with coordinated use of numerical modelling of tectonic and erosional processes, quantitative geomorphology and Cosmogenic Radionuclides. This project is expected to deliver essential insights on the dynamics of the tectonics/erosion/climate coupled system and to provide a critical perspective concerning the potential impact of current climate change on geological systems.

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF
See other projects for this call

Coordinator

UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE
EU contribution
€ 149 407,22
Address
BOULEVARD CHARLES LIVON 58 LE PHARO
13284 Marseille
France

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Region
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Bouches-du-Rhône
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Jean-Yves Bottero (Prof.)
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (1)