Luminescence chronology of incision and channel pattern changes in the River Ganga, India

The River Ganga in the central Gangetic plain shows the incision of 20 m of Late Quaternary sediments that form a vast upland terrace (T₂). The incised Ganga River Valley shows two terraces, namely the river valley (terrace-T₁) and the present-day flood plain (terrace-T₀). Terrace-T₁ shows the presence of meander scars, oxbow lakes, scroll plains, which suggests that a meandering river system prevailed in the past. The present-day river channel flows on terrace-T₀ and is braided, sensu stricto. It is thus inferred that the River Ganga experienced at least two phases of tectonic adjustments: (1) incision and (2) channel metamorphosis from meandering to braided.Optical dating of samples from three different terraces has bracketed the phase of incision to be <6 and 4 ka. Different ages of the top of terrace-T₂ show that this surface experienced differential erosion due to tectonic upwarping in the region, which also caused the river incision. River metamorphosis occurred some time during 4 and 0.5 ka.     

金沙江巧家—蒙姑段的阶地发育与河谷地貌演化

金沙江水系演化与河谷发育问题长期以来是地质地貌学界关注的重大问题,目前仍存在较大争议。河流阶地及其相关沉积是河谷发育过程的产物,可以提供河谷发育的时代与形式等诸多信息。金沙江在巧家—蒙姑段河谷中,葫芦口附近发育和保存了8级基座阶地,结合光释光和电子自旋共振测年方法,依据古气候资料,推断T6~T1的下切时间分别对应于深海氧同位素（MIS）的36/35、34/33、24/23、20/19、14/13和4/3阶段,即气候由冷至暖的转型期。青岗坝附近则发育了5级由堰塞湖相沉积组成的堆积型阶地,指示了中更新世以来该段河谷在下切过程中经历了频繁的滑坡堵江堰塞,发育形式以“下切—滑坡—堰塞—堆积—下切”过程为主。此外,河流的平均下切速率自0.82 Ma以来由此前的0.56 mm/a下降至0.19 mm/a,表明中更新世以来频繁发生的堵江堰塞事件严重抑制了该段河谷的下切作用。综合流域内河流阶地序列及相关沉积的研究,金沙江下游段现代河谷的形成时代不晚于早更新世。     

Rates of fluvial bedrock incision within an actively uplifting orogen: Central Karakoram Mountains, northern Pakistan

Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) ¹⁰Be surface exposure ages for strath terraces along the Braldu River in the Central Karakoram Mountains range from 0.8 to 11 ka. This indicates that strath terrace formation began to occur rapidly upon deglaciation of the Braldu valley at  11 ka. Fluvial incision rates for the Braldu River based on the TCN ages for strath terraces range from 2 to 29 mm/a. The fluvial incision rates for the central gorged section of the Braldu River are an order of magnitude greater than those for the upper and lower reaches. This difference is reflected in the modern stream gradient and valley morphology. The higher incision rates in the gorged central reach of the Braldu River likely reflect differential uplift above the Main Karakoram Thrust that has resulted in the presence of a knickpoint and more rapid fluvial incision. The postglacial fluvial incision rate (2–3 mm/a) for the upper and lower reaches are of the same order of magnitude as the exhumation rates estimated from previously published thermochronological data for the Baltoro granite in the upper catchment region and for the adjacent Himalayan regions.     

晚更新世以来贵州清水江阶地发育及地貌意义

对贵州清水江上游马寨、翁东、三江、施洞沿江4个剖面的阶地特征、年代学结果进行了综合分析。发现以凯里断层为界,上游地区的马寨和翁东2个剖面的T2阶地形成时代约为51~57 ka B.P.,T1阶地的形成时代约为25 ka B.P.,下游地区的三江和施洞2个剖面的T2阶地形成时代约为122~102 ka B.P.,T1阶地的形成时代约为78 ka B.P.。选取各剖面的T2阶地的基座高度来计算了河流下切速率,发现上游地区2个剖面（马寨、翁东）的河流下切速率较接近,约为0.41~0.34 m/ka,明显高于下游地区的2个剖面（三江、施洞）的0.16~0.20 m/ka,表现为上游下切速率高,越往下游方向下切速率逐渐降低。这表明自晚更新世以来,清水江上游区域受到构造作用的影响而发生差异抬升,具体表现为西部构造抬升幅度大,阶地下切速率快;东部构造抬升幅度小,阶地下切速率慢。     

Adjustments by the Charwell River, New Zealand, to uplift and climatic changes

Major climatic changes and rapid local and regional tectonic movements were common in New Zealand during the late Quaternary and caused a diversity of adjustments in the drainage-basin and piedmont reaches of the Charwell River, which are separated by the Hope Fault. The onset of semi-arid, frigid climates during the latest Pleistocene probably greatly increased hillslope sediment yields in a periglacial environment, and the piedmont reach aggraded as much as 42 m on top of a broad strath. With the return of humid, mesic climates in the Holocene sediment yields decreased as dense forests again mantled the slopes, and the piedmont reach degraded as mush as 81 m. Dating of eleven cut-and-strath terraces by radiocarbon-calibrated weathering rind measurements on greyawake cobbles shows the degradation rates varied greatly during the last 14 ka (1 ka = 1000 yr). Initial degradation rates of < 4 m ka⁻¹ increased to 30 m ka ⁻¹ by 6 ka ago during a mid-Holocene climatic optimum. Since 4 ka ago degradation rates have been only 1.2 m ka⁻¹, comparable to uplift rates in the piedmont reach inferred from marine-terrace studies, and the river is again cutting a broad strath. Each broad strath represents equilibrium conditions attained by this powerful stream during interglacial times despite episodes of being overwhelmed by climatically induced sediment-yield increases during full-glacial climates and having to maintain a long-term degradation rate equal to the uplift rate.The 75–81 m of degradation since formation of the latest Pleistocene fill-terrace tread is the sum of the amount of late Pleistocene valley-floor aggradation and the amount of regional uplift that occurred between the estimated times of major strath formation at about 30 and 0 ka. The 39 m of tectonically induced degradation below the pre-aggradation strath is sufficiently large that post-30 ka uplift may have doubled Holocene degradation rates.Each of the eleven degradation terraces represents pauses of a few centuries in Holocene downcutting. Brief equilibrium conditions were attained by streambed armoring and concurrent growth of riparian plants; both processes progressively increased hydraulic roughness and the shear stresses needed to entrain streambed materials. Occasional floods, possibly from rare cyclones derived from tropical moisture sources, destroyed streambed armor and channel downcutting was renewed. Thus the formation of eleven equilibrium terraces can be accounted for without postulating additional tectonic perturbations or secular climatic changes.     

川西高原杂谷脑河阶地的形成

根据野外实地地貌调查,确定了川西高原杂谷脑河理县段发育了8级阶地,并对阶地沉积物进行了ESR年代测试,初步确定杂谷脑河第II,III,IV,VI级阶地约形成于距今54,125,248,481ka。阶地成因分析表明这些主要阶地序列主要是构造隆升的结果,因此,杂谷脑河各级主要阶地分别代表了川西高原中更新世以来的几次隆升事件。根据阶地高程和阶地形成年代确定的杂谷脑河下蚀速率为0.39m/ka,与大地测量获得的龙门山隆升速率 (0.3~0.4m/ka) 相一致。     

贵州高原北部河流阶地发育与喀斯特地貌演化

贵州高原北部发育平缓丘丛和深切峰丛2种喀斯特地貌组合,保存于喀斯特山间盆地的河流阶地对区域地貌演化具有指示意义。本文根据阶地发育特征和光释光（OSL）测年,分析阶地形成的时代和动力,结合区域地质背景,探讨构造抬升和河流侵蚀对黔北喀斯特地貌演化的驱动作用。结果显示,绥阳盆地T1阶地时代18.8~8.2 ka,T2时代144.4~104.1 ka;旺草盆地T1年龄为5.5 ka,T2年龄为45.1 ka。绥阳盆地阶地以漫滩相沉积物为主,旺草盆地阶地则多切割了白云岩基岩。分析认为,气候条件影响了阶地的沉积过程,但差异性构造抬升应为区域河流阶地差异发育的主要因素。阶地测年显示,旺草盆地的河流平均下切速率明显高于绥阳盆地,表明芙蓉江流域构造抬升和河流下切强度明显高于洋川河。在差异性构造抬升和河流侵蚀综合作用下,北部大娄山区形成了深切的喀斯特峰丛-峡谷地貌,南部乌江中游流域则发育以平坦盆地和宽缓丘丛为主的地貌组合。     

河流阶地形成过程及其驱动机制再研究

河流阶地的形成是在内因(河流内部动力变化)和外因(低频和高频气候变化、构造运动、基准面变化)共同作用下的结果。受单一气候变化制约的河流阶地发育模式可以解释由于沉积物通量和径流量变化引起的河流堆积-侵蚀过程,但它难以解释形成多级阶地的逐步(或间歇性)下切过程。多级阶地的形成可能同时受到构造抬升和周期性气候变化的制约。由于下切过程的滞后效应,侵蚀和冰川均衡抬升、河谷的侧向侵蚀过程等影响,山地的构造抬升与河谷的下切之间并非一种简单的线性关系,应当慎用河谷的下切速率来代表山地的抬升速率。     

黄土高原0.8Ma以来地面抬升的时空特征研究

根据黄土高原地区黄河阶地的形态特征和成因分析,认为其形成主要是地面抬升所致并且在黄河达到均衡状态下形成,可以推断黄土高原的地面抬升。根据对黄土高原地区黄河0.8 Ma阶地的研究并结合相关文献资料,选取兰州段、黑山峡段、晋陕峡谷段和三门峡段作为典型研究区域,得出黄土高原0.8 Ma以来的地面抬升存在显著的时空特征,即空间特征表现为地面抬升量有西大东小的规律,时间特征表现为地面抬升速率有后期加速趋势、特别是晚更新世以来。并认为黄土高原0.8 Ma以来的地面抬升与青藏高原的构造抬升有成因上的联系。     

宛川河阶地的年代与下切机制

宛川河是黄河一条小规模支流,在榆中盆地中发育了至少四级堆积阶地。以"古土壤断代法"为基础,结合OSL测年和14C测年,较准确的确定了宛川河四级阶地形成的年代为330、130、50和10 ka。区域构造表明榆中盆地相对下陷,地面抬升不是引起河流下切的主要原因,同时阶地位相说明作为宛川河侵蚀基准面的黄河对宛川河下切影响只限于距河口不远的一小段距离。每级阶地面上都堆积一层古土壤指示宛川河下切于古土壤开始发育时期,对应于气候由冷干向暖湿转换的时期,河流下切的主要原因是气候变化。     

黔中乌当盆地阶地沉积特征及其对盆地演化的指示

黔中乌当盆地是贵州省山间盆地的典型代表,四级河流阶地清晰地记录了新构造运动中区域地壳抬升和盆地演化。通过阶地沉积物砾组统计、粒度分析、光释光（OSL）测年,探讨盆地的发育和演化。结果显示,阶地砾石排列指示盆地水系古流向与现代河流基本一致,砾石磨圆度变化大,分选较差,岩性继承了区域地层。砾石组合特征反映了构造抬升期盆地内强烈的冲刷剥蚀。漫滩沉积物粒度表明盆地在稳定阶段河流水动力整体呈增大趋势。T4和T3发育阶段区域以冲刷剥蚀为主并塑造了盆地雏形。T2阶地沉积特征及测年结果（177.4 ka~87.6 ka）表明中更新世末期持续数万年的沉积夷平作用使盆地基本成型。T1阶地形成时代约25ka,指示了黔中地区最近一次构造抬升和盆地的最终定型。     

New constraints on the late Cenozoic incision history of the New River, Virginia

The New River crosses three physiogeologic provinces of the ancient, tectonically quiescent Appalachian orogen and is ideally situated to record variability in fluvial erosion rates over the late Cenozoic. Active erosion features on resistant bedrock that floors the river at prominent knickpoints demonstrate that the river is currently incising toward base level. However, thick sequences of alluvial fill and fluvial terraces cut into this fill record an incision history for the river that includes several periods of stalled downcutting and aggradation. We used cosmogenic ¹⁰Be exposure dating, aided by mapping and sedimentological examination of terrace deposits, to constrain the timing of events in this history. ¹⁰Be concentration depth profiles were used to help account for variables such as cosmogenic inheritance and terrace bioturbation. Fill-cut and strath terraces at elevations 10, 20, and 50 m above the modern river yield model cosmogenic exposure ages of 130, 600, and 600–950 ka, respectively, but uncertainties on these ages are not well constrained. These results provide the first direct constraint on the history of alluvial aggradation and incision events recorded by New River terrace deposits. The exposure ages yield a long-term average incision rate of 43 m/my, which is comparable to rates measured elsewhere in the Appalachians. During specific intervals over the last 1 Ma, however, the New River's incision rate reached 100 m/my. Modern erosion rates on bedrock at a prominent knickpoint are between 28 and 87 m/my, in good agreement with rates calculated between terrace abandonment events and significantly faster than 2 m/my rates of surface erosion from ancient terrace remnants. Fluctuations between aggradation and rapid incision operate on timescales of 10⁴− 10⁵ year, similar to those of late Cenozoic climate variations, though uncertainties in model ages preclude direct correlation of these fluctuations to specific climate change events. These second-order fluctuations appear within a longer-term signal of dominant aggradation (until 2 Ma) followed by dominant incision. A similar signal is observed on other Appalachian rivers and may be the result of sediment supply fluctuations driven by the increased frequency of climate changes in the late Cenozoic.     

黄山北麓青弋江发育研究

青弋江位于黄山北麓,为长江下游最长的支流。野外考察发现青弋江泾县盆地段存在溪口剖面和城北剖面等2个天然剖面,共发育了1级洪积扇台地（P）和3级河流阶地（T3、T2和T1）,并相应堆积了4级砾石层。通过对砾石层进行砾组分析,并借助电子自旋共振（ESR）测年和古地磁测年等方法,初步探讨了青弋江发育的年代、过程和成因。研究结论为：① 砾组分析表明青弋江T3阶地是青弋江的最老阶地,并且其砾石层是青弋江的最老砾石层;② 测年结果表明青弋江发育的年代区间为1300~900 ka,其中~1300 ka为青弋江发育的最早年代,而~900 ka则为青弋江发育的最晚年代;③ 青弋江发育于~1377 ka前的洪积扇辫状河,并先后经历了洪积扇及辫状河发育、辫状河下切、青弋江形成等阶段,即所谓的源于洪积扇辫状河的青弋江发育过程;④ 青弋江发育可能是降水增加和构造抬升共同作用的结果。该研究有助于为中国东部地区中小河流发育研究提供参考。     

Exhumation and incision history of the Lahul Himalaya, northern India, based on (U–Th)/He thermochronometry and terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide methods

Low-temperature apatite (U–Th)/He (AHe) thermochronology on vertical transects of leucogranite stocks and ¹⁰Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) surface exposure dating on strath terraces in the Lahul Himalaya provide a first approximation of long-term (10⁴–10⁶ years) exhumation rates for the High Himalayan Crystalline Series (HHCS) for northern India. The AHe ages show that exhumation of the HHCS in Lahul from shallow crustal levels to the surface was ~ 1–2 mm/a and occurred during the past ~ 2.5 Ma. Bedrock exhumation in Lahul fits into a regional pattern in the HHCS of low-temperature thermochronometers yielding Plio-Pleistocene ages. Surface exposure ages of strath terraces along the Chandra River range from ~ 3.5 to 0.2 ka. Two sites along the Chandra River show a correlation between TCN age and height above the river level yielding maximum incision rates of 12 and 5.5 mm/a. Comparison of our AHe and surface exposure ages from Lahul with thermochronometry data from the fastest uplifting region at the western end of the Himalaya, the Nanga Parbat syntaxis, illustrates that there are contrasting regions in the High Himalaya where longer term (10⁵–10⁷ years) erosion and exhumation of bedrock substantially differ even though Holocene rates of fluvial incision are comparable. These data imply that the orogen's indenting corners are regions where focused denudation has been stable since the mid-Pliocene. However, away from these localized areas where there is a potent coupling of tectonic and surface processes that produce rapid uplift and denudation, Plio-Pleistocene erosion and exhumation can be characterized by disequilibrium, where longer term rates are relatively slower and shorter term fluvial erosion is highly variable over time and distance. The surface exposure age data reflect differential incision along the length of the Chandra River over millennial time frames, illustrate the variances that are possible in Himalayan river incision, and highlight the complexity of Himalayan environments.     

Crustal uplift in southern England: evidence from the river terrace records

Much of the past work on the Quaternary rivers of northwest Europe has been concerned with river terraces, which characterise almost every valley. While these terraces are undoubtedly striking features of the landscape, the incision achieved by Quaternary rivers is equally significant in terms of river behaviour, and for an understanding of the factors affecting landform development during the Quaternary. This paper examines the incision achieved during the Quaternary by the Thames, in both its upper and lower catchments, and by the Hampshire Avon in southern England. Valley incision rates of ca. 0.07–0.10 m ka⁻¹ have been identified, although in the lower catchment of the Thames, these have been enhanced by additional incision in response to glacio-isostasy and valley shortening. A model is proposed in which regional uplift is recognized as the primary cause of incision by these Quaternary rivers. Possible mechanisms for regional uplift are considered.     

River response to an active fold-and-thrust belt in a convergent margin setting,North Island,New Zealand

High-resolution digital elevation data (TOPSAR 10-m grid) are used to reconstruct Late Quaternary growth histories of subtle folding in the Wairarapa fold-and-thrust belt, North Island, New Zealand. Outcrop data of deformed latest Miocene and younger strata are combined with observations of warped and faulted late Quaternary terrace surfaces to unravel the geomorphic and structural history of the Huangarua River valley. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of loess that accumulated on these strath terraces and paleosol stratigraphy allow temporal correlation among the terraces and with glacial climate cycles since the Last Interglaciation. These data indicate that five intervals of strath cutting occurred, at ∼125, 60–70, ∼30, ∼15, and <10 ka. Strath beveling is largely independent of local folding or regional base-level change. We hypothesize that straths are cut when an increase in sediment supply, during cool climatic periods, brings river sediment load and river transport capacity into balance. In the Wairarapa, strath-cutting events appear to occur near the end of cool climatic cycles. This study shows that the identification of subtle departures from regional topographic trends becomes practical when a high-resolution DEM is available. After subtraction of an average valley gradient from the digital topography, the residual topography on the terrace treads reveals cross-valley and longitudinal tilting. Although rates of folding are slow and the magnitude of deformation is commonly limited to less than a few tens of meters, these topographic anomalies define fold axes that coincide with subsurface structures. When combined with time control, these anomalies serve to define the patterns and rates of fold growth over the past 125 kyears.     

Chronology of relict lake deposits in the Spiti River, NW Trans Himalaya: Implications to Late Pleistocene–Holocene climate-tectonic perturbations

The Spiti River that drains through the arid Trans-Himalayan region is studied here. The relict deposits exposed along the river provide an opportunity to understand the interaction between the phases of intense monsoon and surface processes occurring in the cold and semi arid to-arid Trans-Himalayan region. Based on geomorphological observation the valley is broadly divided into the upper and lower Spiti Valley. The braided channel and the relict fluvio-lacustrine deposits rising from the present riverbed characterize the upper valley. The deposits in the lower valley occur on the uplifted bedrock strath and where the channel characteristics are mainly of meandering nature. Conspicuous is the occurrence of significantly thick lacustrine units within the relict sedimentary sequences of Spiti throughout the valley. The broad sedimentary architecture suggests the formation of these palaeolakes due landslide-driven river damming. The Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating of quartz derived from the bounding units of the lacustrine deposits suggests that the upper valley preserves the phase of deposition around 14–6 ka and in the lower valley around 50–30 ka. The review of published palaeoclimatic palaeolake chronology of Spiti Valley indicates that the lakes were probably formed during the wetter conditions related to Marine Isotope Stage III and II. The increased precipitation during these phases induced excessive landsliding and formation of dammed lakes along the Spiti River. The older lacustrine phase being preserved on the uplifted bedrock strath in the lower valley indicates late Pleistocene tectonic activity along the Kaurick Chango normal fault.     

渭河三阳川盆地最高级阶地的年代厘定及其对河谷发育的指示意义

青藏高原东缘水系的演化历史长期存在着重大争议,鉴于任一水系的形成演化都是通过主要河谷的发育及其不断延展与整合完成的,因此确定河谷发育的起始时代是研究水系演化的关键。本文针对渭河上游三阳川盆地最高级阶地形成时代的研究,发现李家小湾河流阶地砾石层的ESR年代为1.26±0.15 Ma和1.32±0.19 Ma,26Al/10Be埋藏年代为1.45±0.70 Ma和1.04±0.43 Ma,说明该段河谷形成于早更新世晚期。综合青藏高原东缘夷平面、剥蚀面与河流阶地的研究成果,推断该区现代河谷系列主要形成于1.2 Ma以后,河流平均下切速率较高,为0.1~0.32 m/ka,指示了中更新世以来该区快速的地表抬升与河谷发育过程;而其前少数地段的先成河谷下切速率介于0.04~0.29 m/ka之间,说明区域地势总体低平,地表过程以剥蚀夷平为主,即高原东缘的现今水系格局主要是第四纪期间构造和气候共同作用下河流侵蚀的产物。     

Numerical modelling of Quaternary terrace staircase formation in the Ebro foreland basin,southern Pyrenees,NE Iberia

The southern foreland basin of the Pyrenees (Ebro basin) is an exorheic drainage basin since Late Miocene times. Remnants of an early exorheic Ebro drainage system are not preserved, but morphology provides evidence for the Pliocene–Quaternary drainage development. The incision history of the Ebro system is denoted by (i) extensive, low gradient pedimentation surfaces which are associated with the denudation of the southern Pyrenean piedmont around the Pliocene–Quaternary transition and (ii) deeply entrenched Quaternary river valleys. Presumably since the Middle Pleistocene fluvial incision intensified involving the formation of extensive terrace staircase in the Ebro basin. Terrace exposure dating in major Ebro tributary rivers indicates climate‐triggered terrace formation in response to glacial–interglacial climate and glacier fluctuations in the Pyrenean headwaters. The overall (semi)parallel longitudinal terrace profiles argue for progressive base level lowering for the whole Ebro drainage network. The landscape evolution model, TISC, is used to evaluate climatic, tectonic and base level scenarios for terrace staircase formation in the Ebro drainage system. Model simulations are compared with morpho‐climatic, tectonic and chronologic data. Results show that climatic fluctuations cause terrace formation, but the incision magnitudes and convergent terrace profiles predicted by this climate model scenario are not consistent with the (semi)parallel terraces in the Ebro basin. A model including previous (late Pliocene) uplift of the lower Ebro basin results in rapid base‐level lowering and erosion along the drainage network, small late stage incision magnitudes and terrace convergence, which are not in agreement with observations. Instead, continuous Quaternary uplift of both the Pyrenees and the Ebro foreland basin triggers (semi)parallel terrace staircase formation in southern Pyrenean tributary rivers in consistency with the observed longitudinal terrace profiles and Middle–Late Pleistocene incision magnitudes. Forward model simulations indicate that the present Ebro drainage system is actively incising, providing further evidence for uplift.     

Climatic and tectonic controls on the fluvial morphology of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau (China)

The geomorphological evolution of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP) could provide valuable information for reconstructing the tectonic movements of the region. And the considerable uplift and climatic changes at here, provide an opportunity for studying the impact of tectonic and monsoon climate on fluvial morphological development and sedimentary architecture of fluvial deposits. The development of peneplain-like surface and related landscape transition from basin filling to incision indicate an intense uplift event with morphological significance at around 10–17 Ma in the NETP. After that, incision into the peneplain was not continuous but a staircase of terraces, developed as a result of climatic influences. In spite of the generally persisting uplift of the whole region, the neighbouring tectonic blocks had different uplift rates, leading to a complicated fluvial response with accumulation terraces alternating with erosion terraces at a small spatial and temporal scale. The change in fluvial activity as a response to climatic impact is reflected in the general sedimentary sequence on the terraces from high-energy (braided) channel deposits (at full glacial) to lower-energy deposits of small channels (towards the end of the glacial), mostly separated by a rather sharp boundary from overlying flood-loams (at the glacial-interglacial transition) and overall soil formation (interglacial). Pronounced incision took place at the subsequent warm-cold transitions. In addition, it is hypothesized that in some strongly uplifted blocks energy thresholds could be crossed to allow terrace formation as a response to small climatic fluctuations (10³–10⁴ year timescale). Although studies of morpho-tectonic and geomorphological evolution of the NETP, improve understanding on the impacts of tectonic motions and monsoonal climate on fluvial processes, a number of aspects, such as the distribution and correlation of peneplain and the related morphological features, the extent and intensity of tectonic movements influencing the crossing of climatic thresholds, leading to terrace development, need to be studied further.