EVOLUTION OF A CHEMICAL WEATHERING DOMINATED LANDSCAPE, NORTHERN SWEDEN

Karkevagge is a 5Km long U-shaped valley in Swedish Lapland formed by glacial erosion some 8-10K B.P. The large scale form of this valley is consistent with its glacial origin. However, since regional deglaciation, the geomorphic evolution of the valley has been overwhelmingly dominated by non-glacial landscape forming processes. Landscape evolution has been dominated by geochemical processes, which account for the greatest amount of total mass removal from the valley annually. Despite the overwhelming predominance of these processes, the fundamental landscape form has been little changed since deglaciation, with only modest meso-scale modifications by contemporary gravity related processes. It is apparent that the contemporary landscape geometry is relict from Glacial Maximum and immediately proceeding paraglacial times. It is apparent that weathering -dominated landscapes may not necessarily reflect dominant landscape forming processes, but rather, may simply display the effects of the last surficial high intensity/low frequency event to impact the landscape.