Miocene high elevation in the Central Alps

Abstract. Reconstructing Oligocene–Miocene paleoelevation contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary history European Alps and sheds light on geodynamic Earth surface processes involved in development Alpine topography. Despite being one most intensively explored mountain ranges worldwide, constraints elevation remain scarce. Here we present stable clumped isotope measurements provide a new estimate for mid-Miocene (∼14.5 Ma) Central Alps. We apply δ–δ paleoaltimetry near-sea-level pedogenic carbonate oxygen (δ18O) records from Northern Foreland Basin (Swiss Molasse Basin) high-Alpine phyllosilicate hydrogen (δD) Simplon Fault Zone Alps). further explore Miocene paleoclimate paleoenvironmental conditions Swiss through (δ18O, δ13C) (Δ47) data three foreland basin sections different alluvial megafan settings (proximal, mid-fan, distal). Combined δ18O values Δ47 temperatures (30±5 ∘C) yield precipitation δ18Ow value -5.8±1.2 ‰ and, conjunction with δD -14.6±0.3 ‰, suggest that region surrounding attained elevations >4000 m no later than mid-Miocene. Our is supported by (iGCM ECHAM5-wiso) modeled values, which vary between −4.2 −7.6 Basin.