Precise radiocarbon dating of the giant Köfels landslide (Eastern Alps, Austria)

Kurt Nicolussi*, Christoph Spötl, Andrea Thurner, Paula J. Reimer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The landslide of Köfels located in the Ötz Valley (Eastern Alps, Austria) is the largest mass movement in crystalline rock in the Alps with a total volume of 3.3km3. Previous radiocarbon dates have suggested an age of the event of 9800±100years ago. The landslide and its radiocarbon dating were used to estimate a Holocene production rate for 10Be for surface exposure dating. Tree-ring analysis and radiocarbon dating of new samples significantly refine the timing of the Köfels landslide and even enable to constrain the season during which this event occurred. Wiggle matching analysis of six radiocarbon samples constrains the event to 9527-9498cal BP which is slightly younger and significantly more precise than the previously established age. The landslide occurred shortly after the onset of the vegetation period, i.e. in May or June. The new dating moves the Köfels landslide strikingly close to the less well constrained age of the Flims landslide, the largest of its kind in the Alps located 130km west of Köfels (9475-9343cal BP). This near-synchronicity of these giant mass movements raises the question of a possible common, albeit currently unknown, trigger.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)87-91
Number of pages5
JournalGeomorphology
Volume243
Early online date15 May 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Aug 2015

Keywords

  • Alps
  • Holocene
  • Landslide
  • Radiocarbon dating
  • Tree rings
  • Wiggle matching

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Earth-Surface Processes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Precise radiocarbon dating of the giant Köfels landslide (Eastern Alps, Austria)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this