Rapid late pleistocene incision of Atlantic passive-margin river gorges
Science
By: L.J. Reusser, P.R. Bierman, M.J. Pavich, E-An Zen, J. Larsen, and R. Finkel
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Abstract
The direct and secondary effects of rapidly changing climate caused large rivers draining the Atlantic passive margin to incise quickly into bedrock beginning about 35,000 years ago. Measured in samples from bedrock fluvial terraces, 10-beryllium shows that both the Susquehanna and Potomac Rivers incised 10- to 20-meter-deep gorges along steep, convex lower reaches during the last glacial cycle. This short-lived pulse of unusually rapid downcutting ended by 13,000 to 14,000 years ago. The timing and rate of downcutting are similar on the glaciated Susquehanna and unglaciated Potomac Rivers, indicating that regional changes, not simply glacial melt-water, initiated incision.
Suggested Citation
Reusser, L., Bierman, P., Pavich, M., Zen, E., Larsen, J., Finkel, R., 2004, Rapid late pleistocene incision of Atlantic passive-margin river gorges: Science, v. 305, no. 5683, p. 499-502, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1097780.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Rapid late pleistocene incision of Atlantic passive-margin river gorges |
| Series title | Science |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.1097780 |
| Volume | 305 |
| Issue | 5683 |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Science |
| First page | 499 |
| Last page | 502 |