A Landform Evolution Model for the Mannen Area in Romsdal Valley, Norway

Abstract

The Quaternary geology of western Norway’s landscape is the result of glacial and post-glacial sedimentation and erosional processes, a significant sea-level drop and high rock-slope failure activity. All these processes are represented within a small valley section below the Mannen rock-slope instability in Romsdal valley, western Norway. Here, exposure ages, Quaternary geological mapping and geophysical investigations permit the development of a paraglacial landscape evolution model. The model contextualises at least six catastrophic rock-slope failure events within the overall sequence of fjord-valley infilling following deglaciation. A transition from a wide basin-like valley into a strongly confined valley section led to the build-up of more than 40 m thick stratified drift, which was at least partly deposited within a marine environment. The morphology of these sediments features two distinct erosional levels, which are interpreted to be connected to tidal currents during post-glacial sea-level drop. The landform evolution model illustrates the importance of catastrophic rock-slope failures and the impact of strong tidal currents on the typical sediment fill in narrow, high-relief fjord valleys.