GM8.4

Hillslope processes in space and time
Convener: Birgit Terhorst 
Oral Programme
 / Thu, 06 May, 15:30–17:00  / Room 22
Poster Programme
 / Attendance Fri, 07 May, 15:30–17:00  / Hall XL

The session intents to highlight the role of hillslope processes in geomorphic systems on varying temporal and spatial scales. Being transitional landscape elements concerning, e.g., mass movements or landscape stability, slopes are susceptible to climate change, human activity, or tectonics. Type, onset, and intensity of slope processes vary through time, and in this context hillslope deposits form valuable records to reflect and decode past and present-day geomorphological processes. The relation between erosional processes, topography, and soil-sediment sequences constitutes one of the main aspects of the session.

Numerous factors influence patterns of erosion, transport, and deposition of sediments and related fluxes. It is a challenge to reconstruct and to model how disposition and trigger factors affect sedimentary transfer processes and sediment budgets. Our baseline knowledge of slope forming processes operating within Pleistocene, Holocene, and different present-day climates is the essential key for predicting consequences of future environmental and anthropogenic change and their influence on the response of slope systems.

We invite contributions on any aspect of hillslope processes, e.g., landslides, solifluction, soil erosion, etc. Current and future challenges regarding the assessments of impacts of climate and land use changes on the activity of slope processes as well as modeling approaches are welcome. Furthermore, contributions may focus on slope formation and reconstruction of Quaternary geosystems.