A model for the formation of the Pradol (Pradolino) dry valley in W Slovenia and NE Italy
In tectonically active mountain ranges, the landscape is shaped by the interplay of erosion/sedimentation and tectonically driven crustal deformation. Characteristic landforms such as moraines, wind gaps, fault scarps, and river terraces can be used to decipher the landscape evolution. However, th...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Geological Survey of Slovenia
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Geologija |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.geologija-revija.si/dokument.aspx?id=1406 |
| _version_ | 1797945415181533184 |
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| author | Manuel DIERCKS Christoph GRÜTZNER Marko VRABEC Kamil USTASZEWSKI |
| author_facet | Manuel DIERCKS Christoph GRÜTZNER Marko VRABEC Kamil USTASZEWSKI |
| author_sort | Manuel DIERCKS |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In tectonically active mountain ranges, the landscape is shaped by the interplay of erosion/sedimentation
and tectonically driven crustal deformation. Characteristic landforms such as moraines, wind gaps, fault scarps,
and river terraces can be used to decipher the landscape evolution. However, the available data often allow for
different interpretations. Here we study the Pradol (Pradolino) Valley in Western Slovenia, a deeply incised
canyon whose floor rests several hundreds of metres above the surrounding valleys. We use high-resolution digital
elevation models, geomorphic indices and field observations to unravel the evolution of this peculiar landform.
We present a six-stage evolution model of the canyon that includes the blockage of valleys by advancing glaciers,
river diversion, and rapid incision due to a high discharge of post-glacial meltwater. The formation of the Pradol
Valley was most likely facilitated by an underlying fault that serves as an easily erodible weakness zone in the
Mesozoic limestones. Our model indicates that the formation of the canyon could have occurred during the last
glaciation, which results in incision rates of several cm/yr. With the proposed model we can explain all remote
and field observations available. Our study shows that a complex interplay of different landscape-shaping
processes is needed to explain the occurrence of the Pradol dry valley and that rapid changes in the morphology
occurred after the last glacial maximum. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T20:54:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-96dd925abba74958b8b6e2a1991c4327 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0016-7789 1854-620X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T20:54:47Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | Geological Survey of Slovenia |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geologija |
| spelling | doaj.art-96dd925abba74958b8b6e2a1991c43272023-01-23T08:10:13ZengGeological Survey of SloveniaGeologija0016-77891854-620X2021-07-01641213310.5474/geologija.2021.002A model for the formation of the Pradol (Pradolino) dry valley in W Slovenia and NE ItalyManuel DIERCKSChristoph GRÜTZNER Marko VRABECKamil USTASZEWSKIIn tectonically active mountain ranges, the landscape is shaped by the interplay of erosion/sedimentation and tectonically driven crustal deformation. Characteristic landforms such as moraines, wind gaps, fault scarps, and river terraces can be used to decipher the landscape evolution. However, the available data often allow for different interpretations. Here we study the Pradol (Pradolino) Valley in Western Slovenia, a deeply incised canyon whose floor rests several hundreds of metres above the surrounding valleys. We use high-resolution digital elevation models, geomorphic indices and field observations to unravel the evolution of this peculiar landform. We present a six-stage evolution model of the canyon that includes the blockage of valleys by advancing glaciers, river diversion, and rapid incision due to a high discharge of post-glacial meltwater. The formation of the Pradol Valley was most likely facilitated by an underlying fault that serves as an easily erodible weakness zone in the Mesozoic limestones. Our model indicates that the formation of the canyon could have occurred during the last glaciation, which results in incision rates of several cm/yr. With the proposed model we can explain all remote and field observations available. Our study shows that a complex interplay of different landscape-shaping processes is needed to explain the occurrence of the Pradol dry valley and that rapid changes in the morphology occurred after the last glacial maximum.http://www.geologija-revija.si/dokument.aspx?id=1406wind gaplgmerosionbedrock incisionpradol |
| spellingShingle | Manuel DIERCKS Christoph GRÜTZNER Marko VRABEC Kamil USTASZEWSKI A model for the formation of the Pradol (Pradolino) dry valley in W Slovenia and NE Italy Geologija wind gap lgm erosion bedrock incision pradol |
| title | A model for the formation of the Pradol (Pradolino) dry valley in W Slovenia and NE Italy |
| title_full | A model for the formation of the Pradol (Pradolino) dry valley in W Slovenia and NE Italy |
| title_fullStr | A model for the formation of the Pradol (Pradolino) dry valley in W Slovenia and NE Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | A model for the formation of the Pradol (Pradolino) dry valley in W Slovenia and NE Italy |
| title_short | A model for the formation of the Pradol (Pradolino) dry valley in W Slovenia and NE Italy |
| title_sort | model for the formation of the pradol pradolino dry valley in w slovenia and ne italy |
| topic | wind gap lgm erosion bedrock incision pradol |
| url | http://www.geologija-revija.si/dokument.aspx?id=1406 |
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