@article{SaviNortonPicottietal.2014,
  author    = {Savi, Sara and Norton, Kevin P. and Picotti, Vincenzo and Akcar, Naki and Delunel, Romain and Brardinoni, Francesco and Kubik, Peter and Schlunegger, Fritz},
  title     = {Quantifying sediment supply at the end of the last glaciation: Dynamic reconstruction of an alpine debris-flow fan},
  series = {Geological Society of America bulletin},
  volume    = {126},
  journal   = {Geological Society of America bulletin},
  number    = {5-6},
  publisher = {American Institute of Physics},
  address   = {Boulder},
  issn      = {0016-7606},
  doi       = {10.1130/B30849.1},
  pages     = {773 -- 790},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {In this paper we quantify the sediment dynamics in the formerly glaciated Zielbach catchment in the Italian Alps from the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) until today. As a basis for our quantification, we use the stratigraphic record offered by a 3.5 km(2) large fan that we explore with a seismic survey, stratigraphic analyses of drillhole material, and C-14 ages measured on organic matter encountered in these drillings. In addition, we calculate past denudation rate variability in the fan deposits using concentrations of cosmogenic Be-10. We merge this information into a scenario of how the sediment flux has changed through time and how this variability can be related to climatic variations, framed within well-known paraglacial models. The results document a highly complex natural system. From the LGM to the very early Holocene, ice-melted discharge and climate variability promoted a high sediment flux (sedimentation rate up to 40 mm/yr). This flux then dramatically decreased toward interglacial values (0.8 mm/yr at 5-4 calibrated kyr B.P.). However, in contrast to the trend of classic paraglacial models, the flux recorded at Zielbach shows secondary peaks at 6.5 ka and 2.5 ka, with values of 13 mm/yr and 1.5 mm/yr, respectively. Paleo-denudation rates also decrease from similar to 33 mm/yr at the beginning of the Holocene to 0.42 mm/yr at 5 ka, with peaks of similar to 6 mm/yr and 1.1 mm/yr at 6.5 ka and 2.5 ka. High-amplitude climate change is the most likely cause of the secondary peaks, but anthropogenic activities may have contributed as well. The good correlation between paleo-sedimentation and paleo-denudation rates suggests that the majority of the deglaciated material destocked from the Zielbach catchment is stored in the alluvial fan.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SaviDelunelSchlunegger2015,
  author    = {Savi, Sara and Delunel, Romain and Schlunegger, Fritz},
  title     = {Efficiency of frost-cracking processes through space and time: An example from the eastern Italian Alps},
  series = {Geomorphology : an international journal on pure and applied geomorphology},
  volume    = {232},
  journal   = {Geomorphology : an international journal on pure and applied geomorphology},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {0169-555X},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.01.009},
  pages     = {248 -- 260},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {It is widely accepted that climate has a strong impact and exerts important feedbacks on erosional processes and sediment transport mechanisms. However, the extent at which climate influences erosion is still a matter of debate. In this paper we test whether frost-cracking processes and related temperature variations can influence the sediment production and surface erosion in a small catchment situated in the eastern Italian Alps. To this extent, we first present a geomorphic map of the region that we complement with published Be-10-based denudation rates. We then apply a preexisting heat-flow model in order to analyze the variations of the frost-cracking intensity (FCI) in the study area, which could have controlled the sediment production in the basin. Finally, we compare the model results with the pattern of denudation rates and Quaternary deposits in the geomorphic map. The model results, combined with field observations, mapping, and quantitative geomorphic analyses, reveal that frost-cracking processes have had a primary role in the production of sediment where the intensity of sediment supply has been dictated and limited by the combined effect of temperature variations and conditions of bedrock preservation. These results highlight the importance of a yet poorly understood process for the production of sediment in mountain areas. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.},
  language  = {en}
}