Fig. 4: Factors influencing rockwall erosion rates and their variation along elevation.
From: Alpine rockwall erosion patterns follow elevation-dependent climate trajectories
a Rockwall area distribution per 100 m elevation band. The presence of scree and glacial cover reduces the area of exposed rockwall within the 2800–2900 m and 3000–3100 m elevation bands (Fig. 2). b Modelled frost cracking intensities for different rock types, plotted against elevation. For detailed mean and annual frost cracking, see Supplementary Fig. 7. c The elevation distributions of newly deglaciated areas from the LGM to 2017 with mean elevation as diamonds. d MARST plotted against elevation; permafrost is shown in violet and permafrost-free areas are light blue with mean elevation as diamonds. e Rockfall volumes at different elevation bands with solid bars indicating median values and points are statistical outliers. Short-term erosion rates plotted against (f) elevation, (g) deglaciation age and h MARST. Error bars indicate the minimum and maximum range of rockwall elevation or erosion rate. Colours in g and h refer to applied colour schemes in c and d.
