Articles | Volume 3, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-525-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-525-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
29 Oct 2021
Research article |
| 29 Oct 2021
| 29 Oct 2021
Erosion rates in a wet, temperate climate derived from rock luminescence techniques
Rachel K. Smedley
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool,
Liverpool, UK
David Small
Department of Geography, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK
Richard S. Jones
Department of Geography, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK
School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University,
Melbourne, Australia
Stephen Brough
School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool,
Liverpool, UK
Jennifer Bradley
School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool,
Liverpool, UK
Geraint T. H. Jenkins
Independent researcher: Powys, Wales, UK
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Glacial landslides are difficult to detect and likely underestimated due to rapid covering or dispersal. Without improved detection rates we cannot constrain their impact on glacial dynamics or their potential climatically driven increases in occurrence. Here we present a new open-access tool (GERALDINE) that helps a user detect 92 % of these events over the past 38 years on a global scale. We demonstrate its ability by identifying two new, large glacial landslides in the Hayes Range, Alaska.
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Short summary
We apply new rock luminescence techniques to a well-constrained scenario of the Beinn Alligin rock avalanche, NW Scotland. We measure accurate erosion rates consistent with independently derived rates and reveal a transient state of erosion over the last ~4000 years in the wet, temperate climate of NW Scotland. This study shows that the new luminescence erosion-meter has huge potential for inferring erosion rates on sub-millennial scales, which is currently impossible with existing techniques.
We apply new rock luminescence techniques to a well-constrained scenario of the Beinn Alligin...
