The Cairngorm Mountains

John E. Gordon; Vanessa Brazier

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-71246-4_18

The Cairngorm Mountains

John E. Gordon^*, Vanessa Brazier

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Geography & Sustainable Development

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

The Cairngorm Mountains represent a classic landscape of selective linear glacial erosion formed in a largely granite massif. Relict, non-glacial landforms include palaeosurfaces with tors, weathered rock and broadly convex summits that have generally been little modified by glacial erosion. These features contrast sharply with glacial troughs and breached watersheds that are deeply incised into the massif. This remarkable geomorphological diversity is enhanced by the presence of cirques, periglacial landforms on the upper slopes and plateaux, ice-marginal deglacial landforms in the valleys and on the lower slopes, paraglacial reworking of debris slopes and glacial deposits, and dynamic river systems. The landforms and geomorphological processes of the Cairngorms provide the foundations for internationally important biodiversity and form a highly sensitive geo-ecological system maintained by the interactions of geology, geomorphology, soils, vegetation and climate.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Landscapes and landforms of Scotland
Editors	Colin K. Ballantyne, John E. Gordon
Place of Publication	Cham
Publisher	Springer Science and Business Media B.V.
Chapter	18
Pages	333-348
Number of pages	16
ISBN (Electronic)	9783030712464
ISBN (Print)	9783030712457, 9783030712488
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71246-4_18
Publication status	Published - 25 Aug 2021

Publication series

Name	World geomorphological landscapes
ISSN (Print)	2213-2090
ISSN (Electronic)	2213-2104

Keywords

Debris flows
Glacial troughs
Gravel-bed rivers
Ice-marginal landsystem
Palaeosurfaces
Periglacial landforms
Selective linear glacial erosion
Tors

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-030-71246-4_18

Cite this

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abstract = "The Cairngorm Mountains represent a classic landscape of selective linear glacial erosion formed in a largely granite massif. Relict, non-glacial landforms include palaeosurfaces with tors, weathered rock and broadly convex summits that have generally been little modified by glacial erosion. These features contrast sharply with glacial troughs and breached watersheds that are deeply incised into the massif. This remarkable geomorphological diversity is enhanced by the presence of cirques, periglacial landforms on the upper slopes and plateaux, ice-marginal deglacial landforms in the valleys and on the lower slopes, paraglacial reworking of debris slopes and glacial deposits, and dynamic river systems. The landforms and geomorphological processes of the Cairngorms provide the foundations for internationally important biodiversity and form a highly sensitive geo-ecological system maintained by the interactions of geology, geomorphology, soils, vegetation and climate.",

keywords = "Debris flows, Glacial troughs, Gravel-bed rivers, Ice-marginal landsystem, Palaeosurfaces, Periglacial landforms, Selective linear glacial erosion, Tors",

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N2 - The Cairngorm Mountains represent a classic landscape of selective linear glacial erosion formed in a largely granite massif. Relict, non-glacial landforms include palaeosurfaces with tors, weathered rock and broadly convex summits that have generally been little modified by glacial erosion. These features contrast sharply with glacial troughs and breached watersheds that are deeply incised into the massif. This remarkable geomorphological diversity is enhanced by the presence of cirques, periglacial landforms on the upper slopes and plateaux, ice-marginal deglacial landforms in the valleys and on the lower slopes, paraglacial reworking of debris slopes and glacial deposits, and dynamic river systems. The landforms and geomorphological processes of the Cairngorms provide the foundations for internationally important biodiversity and form a highly sensitive geo-ecological system maintained by the interactions of geology, geomorphology, soils, vegetation and climate.

AB - The Cairngorm Mountains represent a classic landscape of selective linear glacial erosion formed in a largely granite massif. Relict, non-glacial landforms include palaeosurfaces with tors, weathered rock and broadly convex summits that have generally been little modified by glacial erosion. These features contrast sharply with glacial troughs and breached watersheds that are deeply incised into the massif. This remarkable geomorphological diversity is enhanced by the presence of cirques, periglacial landforms on the upper slopes and plateaux, ice-marginal deglacial landforms in the valleys and on the lower slopes, paraglacial reworking of debris slopes and glacial deposits, and dynamic river systems. The landforms and geomorphological processes of the Cairngorms provide the foundations for internationally important biodiversity and form a highly sensitive geo-ecological system maintained by the interactions of geology, geomorphology, soils, vegetation and climate.

KW - Debris flows

KW - Glacial troughs

KW - Gravel-bed rivers

KW - Ice-marginal landsystem

KW - Palaeosurfaces

KW - Periglacial landforms

KW - Selective linear glacial erosion

KW - Tors

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SN - 9783030712488

T3 - World geomorphological landscapes

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BT - Landscapes and landforms of Scotland

A2 - Ballantyne, Colin K.

A2 - Gordon, John E.

PB - Springer Science and Business Media B.V.

CY - Cham

ER -

The Cairngorm Mountains

Abstract

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Keywords

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Landscapes and landforms of Scotland

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