Differential denudation and flexural isostasy in formation of rifted-margin upwarps

Gilchrist, A. R.; Summerfield, Michael A.

doi:10.1038/346739a0

Cited by 220 publications

(171 citation statements)

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“…Earlier conceptualisation of escarpment evolution requires formation by steady parallel retreat of the escarpment face between rifting/breakup and the present (King, 1955;Ollier, 1982Ollier, , 1985Gilchrist & Summerfield, 1990Kooi & Beaumont, 1994;Tucker & Slingerland, 1994;Seidl et al, 1996). However, the emerging view is that the development of these escarpments may be rapid and shortlived, with the escarpment reaching essentially its modern configuration in a relatively short time after rifting (Cockburn et al, 2000;Matmon et al, 2002;Persano et al, 2002Persano et al, , 2005.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These conceptual models are: escarpment retreat into a downwarped rift shoulder (King, 1967;Ollier & Pain, 1997) and escarpment development into an elevated rift shoulder (Gilchrist & Summerfield, 1990;Kooi & Beaumont, 1994;Tucker & Slingerland, 1994). These competing conceptual models differ fundamentally in the magnitude of denudation, and the volume of sediment deposited offshore.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The anatomy of PCMs is dependent on a range of factors, including the pre-rift topography, drainage network evolution, syn-and post-breakup, denudation, proximal basin development, climatic control on rock weathering, long-term sea level fluctuations, thermal evolution of the lithosphere and flexural properties of the lithosphere (Summerfield, 1991;Watts, 2001;Allen & Allen, 2005). Despite this range of factors controlling the evolution of any particular margin, the macro-geomorphology of high elevation PCMs of Gondwanan continents is remarkably consistent, comprising a low elevation coastal plain and an elevated interior plateau separated by an escarpment running parallel to the coastline (Ollier, 1982(Ollier, , 1985Gilchrist & Summerfield, 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sedimentation record in the Konkan–Kerala Basin: implications for the evolution of the Western Ghats and the Western Indian passive margin

et al. 2007

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The Konkan and Kerala Basins constitute a major depocentre for sediment from the onshore hinterland of Western India and as such provide a valuable record of the timing and magnitude of Cenozoic denudation along the continental margin. This paper presents an analysis of sedimentation in the Konkan-Kerala basin, coupled with a mass balance study, and numerical modelling of flexural responses to onshore denudational unloading and offshore sediment loading in order to test competing conceptual models for the development of high-elevation passive margins. The Konkan-Kerala basin contains an estimated 109,000 km 3 of Cenozoic clastic sediment, a volume difficult to reconcile with the denudation of a downwarped rift flank onshore, and more consistent with denudation of an elevated rift flank. We infer from modelling of the isostatic response of the lithosphere to sediment loading offshore and denudation onshore infer that flexure is an important component in the development of the Western Indian Margin. There is evidence for two major pulses in sedimentation: an early phase in the Palaeocene, and a second beginning in the Pliocene. The Palaeocene increase in sedimentation can be interpreted in terms of a denudational response to the rifting between India and the Seychelles, whereas the mechanism responsible for the Pleistocene pulse is more enigmatic.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sedimentation record in the Konkan–Kerala Basin: implications for the evolution of the Western Ghats and the Western Indian passive margin

et al. 2007

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“…Evolution of the present topography may have been initiated by rifting between the Australian continent and the Lord Howe Rise 85-100 million years ago (Hayes and Ringis, 1973;Weissel and Hayes, 1977;Ollier, 1982;Wellman, 1987;Gilchrist and Summerfield, 1990;Seidl et al, 1996;O'Sullivan et al, 1999). The highland region of relatively low-relief is considered to have been subject to relatively slow erosion (B10 m Myr À1 ) (Ollier, 1978;Bishop, 1985;Bishop et al, 1985;Pain, 1985;Wellman, 1987;Bishop and Brown, 1992;Nott, 1992).…”

Section: Southeastern Australia Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late Quaternary erosion in southeastern Australia: a field example using cosmogenic nuclides

Heimsath

Chappell

Dietrich

et al. 2001

Quaternary International

171

180

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Late Quaternary rates of apparent soil production, bedrock incision, and average erosion are determined for the southeastern highlands of Australia using in situ produced cosmogenic nuclide concentrations of 10 Be and 26 Al. Apparent soil production rates define a steep, inverse exponential function of soil depth with a maximum of 143 m Ma À1 under zero soil depth. There were no observed soil depths between about 25 cm and zero, however, such that the maximum observed rate is about 50 m Ma À1. The Bredbo River catchment average erosion rate is 1571 m Ma À1 , and is similar to the average hillslope erosion rate of 1671 m Ma À1 . Bedrock incision rates average 9 m Ma À1 and suggest that the higher rates of hillslope erosion may be in response to a pulse of incision, perhaps generated by knickpoint propagation. Bedrock erosion rates inferred from a tor profile average 3.8 m Ma À1 , with higher rates on other, more weathered tor tops. An aboveground tor profile of nuclide concentrations is consistent with a simple model of rapid stripping of the surrounding saprolite, supporting the view that at least one episodic period of increased denudation has affected the landscape evolution of the highlands. We test this hypothesis by using a simple landscape evolution model to reasonably predict the spatial variation of soil depth as well as the emergence of tors. r

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“…On the other hand, on the global scale the spatial organization of drainage networks and divides primarly reflects plate tectonic processes, as well as the associated regional structures [Gilchrist and Summerfield, 1990; Burbank, 1992; Leeder and Jackson, 1993;Hoorn et al, 1995;Jackson et al, 1996; Gupta, 1997; Harbor, 1997]. Rivers adjust continuously to changes in tectonically induced surface motions and can thus be used to determine the growth chronology of folds and faults [Wallace, 1977;Armijo et al, 1989; Avouac and Peltzer, In the past few decades, numerous studies have been carried out on the relationships between tectonics and relief created by drainage network development in active deformation zones and important results have recently emerged about the importance of erosion in controlling large-scale tectonics, through isostatic responses to erosion and climate change [Koons, 1990;Molnar and England, 1990;Masek et al, 1994;Avouac and Burov, 1996].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large‐scale relief development related to Quaternary tectonic uplift of a Proterozoic‐Paleozoic basement: The Armorican Massif, NW France

Bonnet¹,

Guillocheau²,

Brun³

et al. 2000

J. Geophys. Res.

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Abstract. The topography of basements located in intraplate domains has often been interpreted in terms of planation theory by examining the remnants of paleosurfaces. In this paper, we address the significance of the present-day drainage networks that erode such topographies by looking at the relief development on the Armorican Massif basement (northwestern France). Using digital elevation model (DEM) analysis, the topography of this massif is characterized by large-scale (-250 km) relief variations that define high elevation domains (I-tEDs). These domains control the pattern of drainage networks by setting the location of the main drainage divides and the polarity of the regional slopes. Large-scale relief is strongly associated with the existence of scarps along inherited fault zones, suggesting that relief development is mainly controlled by tectonics through fault reactivation. A surface evolution study shows that drainage networks developed during the Quaternary, which corresponds to the timing of the tectonic activity which also led to relief development. The study of Quaternary fluvial erosion through a new method for measuring incision shows that the drainage basins of the I-tEDs record greater amounts of base level fall during Quaternary times. This implies that differential uplift is responsible for the large-scale relief development of the Armorican Massif during the Quaternary. Our study suggests that as seen in active settings, the topography of basements corresponds to a dynamic signal between tectonics and erosional processes which can be used, for example, in the study of intraplate deformation.

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Differential denudation and flexural isostasy in formation of rifted-margin upwarps

Cited by 220 publications

References 18 publications

Sedimentation record in the Konkan–Kerala Basin: implications for the evolution of the Western Ghats and the Western Indian passive margin

Sedimentation record in the Konkan–Kerala Basin: implications for the evolution of the Western Ghats and the Western Indian passive margin

Late Quaternary erosion in southeastern Australia: a field example using cosmogenic nuclides

Large‐scale relief development related to Quaternary tectonic uplift of a Proterozoic‐Paleozoic basement: The Armorican Massif, NW France

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