Neogene fluvial landscape evolution in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert

Scientific Reports
Benedikt RitterTibor J Dunai

Abstract

Dating of extensive alluvial fan surfaces and fluvial features in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert, Chile, using cosmogenic nuclides provides unrivalled insights about the onset and variability of aridity. The predominantly hyperarid conditions help to preserve the traces of episodic climatic and/or slow tectonic change. Utilizing single clast exposure dating with cosmogenic 10Be and 21Ne, we determine the termination of episodes of enhanced fluvial erosion and deposition occurring at ~19, ~14, ~9.5 Ma; large scale fluvial modification of the landscape had ceased by ~2-3 Ma. The presence of clasts that record pre-Miocene exposure ages (~28 Ma and ~34 Ma) require stagnant landscape development during the Oligocene. Our data implies an early onset of (hyper-) aridity in the core region of the Atacama Desert, interrupted by wetter but probably still arid periods. The apparent conflict with interpretation that favour a later onset of (hyper-) aridity can be reconciled when the climatic gradients within the Atacama Desert are considered.

References

Jun 10, 2006·Science·A V FedorovS G Philander
Dec 7, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Peter L NesterNicolás Blanco

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Citations

Mar 29, 2019·Scientific Reports·Benedikt RitterTibor J Dunai
Oct 29, 2020·American Journal of Botany·Rosa A SchersonTaryn Fuentes-Castillo
Feb 14, 2021·American Journal of Botany·Felix F MerklingerFederico Luebert

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