Lithological and structural influence on the development of basin-and-hill landscape within a basement complex in SW Sweden

摘要

This study focuses on structural and lithological controls exerted on landscape development in the basement terrain along the NW coast of Sweden, reflected in morphometric characteristics of medium-size rock-cut basins derived from aerial photograph analysis. In this area fracture patterns have been critical for landform development and the majority of basins has developed along fractures, or at their intersections, or are bounded by fractures. No significant quantitative differences exist between granite and gneiss bedrock, evidently because fracture patterns disregard lithological boundaries. Likewise, intra-lithological variability is best attributed to different patterns of fracturing in each test area. Reasons for the prominence of fracture control are probably to be found in morphotectonic setting and limited time span for etching. Despite multiple glaciations, effects of glacial processes are minor at this scale of inquiry.