ProjectErosion rates across Germany with emphasis on the South German Scarplands – integrating surface analysis,…
Basic data
Title:
Erosion rates across Germany with emphasis on the South German Scarplands – integrating surface analysis, thermochronology, cosmogenic nuclides and landscape evolution modelling
Duration:
04/01/2022 to 31/03/2024
Abstract / short description:
The secure storage of nuclear waste for future generations requires consideration of the
geologic, climate, and interacting surface processes that a potential repository location may
encounter. Each of these processes respond to both external forcing (e.g., tectonic and paleo-
/climate processes) as well as internal system dynamics, such as river avulsion, drainage basin
capture and mass wasting processes. Knowledge of past processes that led to the present day
provides insights into the future conditions that may be encountered, and into relevant
geologic and climate forcings of concern. In this proposal, we document the spatial and
temporal variations in erosion rates relevant to the selection of potential nuclear waste
repositories across the non-glaciated regions of whole Germany, and in a more detailed
analysis in the Southwest German Scarplands.
There are several components and expected deliverables to our project. These include:
(1) compilation of published thermochronometer and cosmogenic isotope data, and
collection of 60 thermochronometer, 80 catchment average and 60 local escarpment
cosmogenic isotope samples, relevant to quantify past erosion rates; (2) present day DEM
analysis to identify lithologic vs. tectonic controls on erosion hotspots, transient river
catchments and knickpoints in SW Germany, (3) modification and advancement of existing
(in-house) coupled surface process and thermokinematic numerical modeling approaches to
integrate existing and new erosion rate data with present-day topography of Germany and
escarpment/cuesta erosion rates; and (4) application of our model-data fusion approaches to
quantify the past (last ~10 Myr) and future (forecasted next ~1 Ma) erosion rates at larger
scales (across Germany) and in regional scale (in SW Germany), in light of uncertainties
stemming from observations and past and future climate change.
Expected deliverables from this project include a new expanded database of kilo- to
million-year erosion rate data across Germany leading to calculated (model-predicted)
erosion maps at ~2 km spatial and 10 kyr temporal resolution; maps of quantified river
incision rates and knickpoint migration leading to an improved understanding of
Triassic/Jurassic rates of escarpment retreat during past and future landscape evolution in
SW Germany.
geologic, climate, and interacting surface processes that a potential repository location may
encounter. Each of these processes respond to both external forcing (e.g., tectonic and paleo-
/climate processes) as well as internal system dynamics, such as river avulsion, drainage basin
capture and mass wasting processes. Knowledge of past processes that led to the present day
provides insights into the future conditions that may be encountered, and into relevant
geologic and climate forcings of concern. In this proposal, we document the spatial and
temporal variations in erosion rates relevant to the selection of potential nuclear waste
repositories across the non-glaciated regions of whole Germany, and in a more detailed
analysis in the Southwest German Scarplands.
There are several components and expected deliverables to our project. These include:
(1) compilation of published thermochronometer and cosmogenic isotope data, and
collection of 60 thermochronometer, 80 catchment average and 60 local escarpment
cosmogenic isotope samples, relevant to quantify past erosion rates; (2) present day DEM
analysis to identify lithologic vs. tectonic controls on erosion hotspots, transient river
catchments and knickpoints in SW Germany, (3) modification and advancement of existing
(in-house) coupled surface process and thermokinematic numerical modeling approaches to
integrate existing and new erosion rate data with present-day topography of Germany and
escarpment/cuesta erosion rates; and (4) application of our model-data fusion approaches to
quantify the past (last ~10 Myr) and future (forecasted next ~1 Ma) erosion rates at larger
scales (across Germany) and in regional scale (in SW Germany), in light of uncertainties
stemming from observations and past and future climate change.
Expected deliverables from this project include a new expanded database of kilo- to
million-year erosion rate data across Germany leading to calculated (model-predicted)
erosion maps at ~2 km spatial and 10 kyr temporal resolution; maps of quantified river
incision rates and knickpoint migration leading to an improved understanding of
Triassic/Jurassic rates of escarpment retreat during past and future landscape evolution in
SW Germany.
Keywords:
thermochronology
Thermochronologie
landscape evolution
Landschaftsentwicklung
cosmogenic nuclide dating
geomorphology
Involved staff
Managers
Ehlers, Todd
Mineralogy and Geodynamics Research Area
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science
Mineralogy and Geodynamics Research Area
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science
Mineralogy and Geodynamics Research Area
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science
Department of Geoscience
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Science
Mineralogy and Geodynamics Research Area
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science
Department of Geoscience, Faculty of Science
Local organizational units
Mineralogy and Geodynamics Research Area
Department of Geoscience
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Science
Funders
Peine, Niedersachsen, Germany