Earth Surface Processes at Cambridge
The deformation and topographic evolution of active plate boundaries are controlled not only by tectonic processes and the properties of the rocks upon which they act, but also by climate-driven erosion and sediment dispersal. In turn, climate may be moderated by the topographic perturbation of atmospheric circulation patterns, and the erosion-driven drawdown of CO2. Thus, surface processes provide a powerful, two-way link between lithospheric and atmospheric processes. Understanding of the processes, their rates, and the mechanisms of feedback implicit to them is within our grasp due to the advent of new dating techniques, digital topography, high-resolution geodesy, and remote sensing of the atmosphere, biosphere and Earth's surface.
The principal aims of our work are:
- To quantify mechanisms, patterns and rates of erosion and sediment transfer to basins.
- To constrain the feedbacks between tectonics, climate and erosion.
- To document landscape evolution.
- To aid natural hazard evaluation and risk mitigation.
Our main focus is on surface processes including fluvial bedrock incision, landsliding, debris flow, wave cutting, and turbidity currents. These are the principal erosion processes operating on mountain belts, above and below sea level, and outside the glacial domain. We study these processes, and their feedbacks with tectonics and climate, across a range of scales, from channel reach to mountain belt, and from process event to the geodynamic evolution of orogens.
Last updated on 08-Jul-10 15:49