Mechanical denudation in mountains of the Subarctic and temperate zone (as revealed by solid discharge analysis) 14-22

Abstract

On the average the mechanic erosion values at Subarctic and temperate zone mountains exceed those of plains (under the same landscape conditions) by factor 2,5 to 3. The erosion rate increases eastward due to increase of the climatic continentality. Within mountain regions the mechanical erosion intensity is controlled by a series of factors, the most important being land-scape-climatic conditions and rocks' composition. The human economy impact is of much importance in regions of high economic development. In the forest zone the mechanical erosion is less than the chemical one, and in the mountain tundra it exceeds the chemical erosion considerably.