Last-glacial-cycle glacier erosion potential in the Alps

Abstract. The glacial landscape of the Alps has fascinated generations explorers, artists, mountaineers, and scientists with its diversity, including erosional features all scales from high-mountain cirques to steep valleys large overdeepened basins. Using previous glacier modelling results empirical inferences bedrock erosion under modern glaciers, we compute a distribution potential in over last cycle 120 000 years ago present. Despite uncertainties pertaining climate history unconstrained processes, resulting modelled patterns include persistent features. cumulative imprint shows very strong localization local maxima at mouths major Alpine some other upstream sections where glaciers are have flowed highest velocity. rates vary significantly through but show paradoxically little relation total volume. Phases advance maximum extension see rapid low elevation, while higher elevation is date phases less extensive glaciation. peak during deglaciation phases, when frontal retreat steeper surface slopes, implying that climatic conditions result might be quite transient specific. Our depict as time-transgressive patchwork, different parts range corresponding glaciation stages time periods.