Weathering phases recorded by gnammas developed since last glaciation at Serra da Estrela, Portugal

[EN]The morphometrical analysis of gnammas (weathering pits) in granite landscapes has been used to establish the relative chronology of recent erosive surfaces and to provide the weathering history in a region. To test the validity of gnammas as relative chronometer indicators, and the reliability...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Domínguez Villar, David, Razola, Laura, Carrasco, Rosa M., Jennings, Carrie E., Pedraza, Javier
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2009
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)
Repositorio:GREDOS. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Salamanca
OAI Identifier:oai:gredos.usal.es:10366/155538
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10366/155538
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Gnamma
Weathering pit
Granite geomorphology
Morphometry
Relative chronology
Weathering
Paleonvironmental proxy
2506 Geología
Descripción
Sumario:[EN]The morphometrical analysis of gnammas (weathering pits) in granite landscapes has been used to establish the relative chronology of recent erosive surfaces and to provide the weathering history in a region. To test the validity of gnammas as relative chronometer indicators, and the reliability of the obtained weathering record, two sites have been studied in Serra da Estrela, Portugal. The first site is within the limits of the glacier that existed in these mountains during the last glaciation, whereas the second site is located in an unglaciated sector of the mountains, which preserves a longer record of weathering in the bedrock surface. The number of gnamma weathering phases recorded in the latter site (8) is larger than those from the former (6). Correlation between both measurement stations based on morphometrical criteria is excellent for the younger six weathering phases (1 to 6). Consequently, the parameter used for relative chronology (δ-value) has been verified to be age dependent, although absolute values are modulated by microclimate due to altitude variations. The weathering record was essentially duplicated once the surfaces at both sites were exposed, demonstrating the reliability of gnamma evolution as a post-glacial environmental indicator for the region.