Climate, tectonics, and the morphology of the Andes

Research Article| July 01, 2001 Climate, tectonics, and the morphology of the Andes David R. Montgomery; David R. Montgomery 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1310, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Greg Balco; Greg Balco 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1310, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sean D. Willett Sean D. Willett 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1310, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information David R. Montgomery 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1310, USA Greg Balco 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1310, USA Sean D. Willett 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-1310, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 07 Nov 2000 Revision Received: 07 Mar 2001 Accepted: 15 Mar 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2001) 29 (7): 579–582. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0579:CTATMO>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 07 Nov 2000 Revision Received: 07 Mar 2001 Accepted: 15 Mar 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation David R. Montgomery, Greg Balco, Sean D. Willett; Climate, tectonics, and the morphology of the Andes. Geology 2001;; 29 (7): 579–582. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0579:CTATMO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Large-scale topographic analyses show that hemisphere-scale climate variations are a first-order control on the morphology of the Andes. Zonal atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere creates strong latitudinal precipitation gradients that, when incorporated in a generalized index of erosion intensity, predict strong gradients in erosion rates both along and across the Andes. Cross-range asymmetry, width, hypsometry, and maximum elevation reflect gradients in both the erosion index and the relative dominance of fluvial, glacial, and tectonic processes, and show that major morphologic features correlate with climatic regimes. Latitudinal gradients in inferred crustal thickening and structural shortening correspond to variations in predicted erosion potential, indicating that, like tectonics, nonuniform erosion due to large-scale climate patterns is a first-order control on the topographic evolution of the Andes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.