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Holocene debris cone evolution in Glen Etive, Western Grampian Highlands, Scotland
Author(s) -
Brazier Vanessa,
Whittington Graeme,
Ballantyne Colin K.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.3290130606
Subject(s) - geology , aggradation , debris , fluvial , radiocarbon dating , debris flow , alluvial fan , geomorphology , holocene , sediment , paleontology , sedimentary rock , structural basin , oceanography
Stratigraphic investigations, radiocarbon dating of buried soils and pollen analyses were employed to reconstruct the history of development of a fluvially‐reworked debris cone in Glen Etive. Paraglacial aggradation of debris flow deposits resulted in cone formation between c. 10000 yr B.P. and c. 4000 yr B.P. until supplies of sediment from upslope were effectively exhausted and debris flow activity ceased. There ensued a prolonged period of stability and soil development on the cone surface. This ended sometime after c. 550 yr B.P. when human interference (including burning) resulted in destruction of the natural vegetation cover and triggered fluvial incision and the development of an alluvial fan of reworked sediment that buried the lower part of the debris cone. The wider implications of these findings are discussed.