Earth Surface Dynamics (i.e. the processes shaping the Earth’s surface) is identified as one of the most promising research fields in the Earth Sciences. This field has strong societal impacts because changing environmental conditions modify the equilibrium of the complex climate-erosion system, and because slope stability and sediment supply are key factors for hazard assessment, especially in a mountainous environment. But beyond this, our knowledge of erosional processes and sediment fluxes, as a function of tectonics and climate, is fundamental to apprehend the Earth System, as it modifies the old paradigm of how we comprehend mountain evolution. Understanding and quantifying the connections between tectonics, climate and erosion in shaping the Earth’s surface, including the likely interaction with human perturbation, is hence of prime importance.
This session aims to present innovative studies that primarily quantify relief, relief change, altitude and erosion over different temporal and spatial scales in relation with climate and / or tectonics. Emphasis will be put on modern tools and original viewpoints. This includes (but is not limited to) surface-process modelling, low-temperature thermochronology, geochemistry, cosmogenic radionuclide dating or other innovative tools.