SC5.9 | Applications of cosmogenic nuclides to study Earth surface processes and landforms
EDI
Applications of cosmogenic nuclides to study Earth surface processes and landforms
Co-organized by CR8/GM13
Convener: Romano ClementucciECSECS | Co-conveners: Gerald RaabECSECS, Zsófia Ruszkiczay-RüdigerECSECS, Lionel Siame
Fri, 19 Apr, 10:45–12:30 (CEST)
 
Room -2.85/86
Fri, 10:45
Ever since the development of the first cosmogenic nuclide method has been developed in the 40s (radiocarbon dating) a new discipline for Earth surface investigations has been created. At the end of the 60s Lal and peters (1967) have described that cosmic rays penetrated the upper few meters of the lithosphere, where they created rare elements. The advances of the AMS technique in the 80s and the development of the physical bases of the in situ production of cosmogenic nuclides in the 90s (Lal, 1991) opened a wide window to their application in earth sciences. Today, we have a variety of terrestrial in situ produced cosmogenic nuclides(TCN) (3He, 10Be, 26Al, 36Cl, 21Ne, 14C) at our disposal to answer prevailing questions in geomorphology, structural geology, glaciology, pedology, archeology or anthropology. Cosmogenic nuclides have been used to directly determine the timing of events and rates of change in the Earth’s surface by measuring their concentration in rocks, sediments, and soils. The technique has been widely adopted by the geomorphic community because it can be used on a wide range of landforms, lithologies and across a broad spectrum of time and space scales. Moreover, their application is also relevant for different Earth Science communities interested in quantifying the long- and short-term surface evolution. Indeed, the application of TCNs have been successfully applied to determine erosion/ denudation rates; age determination of geomorphic surfaces; burial events; quantification of incision and uplift rates; soil dynamics; and palaeo-altimetric changes.

The short course offers a brief outline of the theory and application of TCNs to Earth’s surface in different morpho-tectonic settings. The aim is to provide background information and basic knowledge of how to apply such a method.