Topographic signatures of progressive glacial landscape transformation

The Pleistocene glaciations left a distinct topographic footprint in mountain ranges worldwide. geometric signature of glacial topography has been quantified various ways, but the temporal development landscape metrics not traced evolution model so far. However, such information is needed to interpret degree imprint terms integrated signal and spatial variations erosion as function occupation time. We apply surface process for cold-climate conditions an initially fluvial range. By exploring evolving patterns time series, we determine locations where changes reach maximum initial persists. erosion, expressed by overdeepening valleys steepening valley flanks, develops first at glacier front migrates upstream with ongoing erosion. This leads increase mean channel slope its variance. Above steep flanks head-walls, however, observed remains similar topography. characteristic turning point slope–elevation distribution above equilibrium line altitude, transition from increasing decreasing elevation occurs. identify this high variance diagnostic features quantify imprint. Such are abundant glacially imprinted mid-latitude Eastern Alps. analysing differently glaciated parts range, observe clarity morphometric property occupation. catchments unglaciated eastern fringe Alps also feature points their distributions, contrast domain, small all levels.