Glacial effects limiting mountain height

D. L. Egholm (), S. B. Nielsen, V. K. Pedersen and J.-E. Lesemann
Additional contact information
D. L. Egholm: Aarhus University
S. B. Nielsen: Aarhus University
V. K. Pedersen: Aarhus University
J.-E. Lesemann: Aarhus University

Nature, 2009, vol. 460, issue 7257, 884-887

Abstract: Putting a cap on mountains A 'glacial buzzsaw' erosional mechanism has been hypothesized to explain the observation that the general height of mountain ranges can be influenced by the extent of glaciation. A systematic analysis of the role of glacial erosion in limiting topography of mountains on a global scale now shows that variations in maximum mountain height correlate closely with climate-controlled gradients in snowline altitude for many high mountain ranges. Numerical modelling reveals that a combination of erosional destruction of topography above the snowline by glacier-sliding and landscape uplift caused by erosional unloading can explain the observed maximum mountain heights. The model suggests that differences in the height of mountain ranges generally reflect variations in local climate rather than tectonic forces.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature08263

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