Mass distribution of Earth landforms determined by aspects of the geopotential as computed from the global gravity field model EGM 2008
Abstract
Correlations of large-scale landform patterns with some aspects of the geopotential as computed from the global gravity field model EGM 2008, particularly the radial second derivates of the disturbing gravitational potential, the strike angle and virtual compression or dilatation of the ellipse of deformation. Selected regions with documentation of aspects from EGM 2008 are Nepal Himalaya and its neighboluring areas, the collision zone of East Asian and south-eastern Europe, morphotectonic contact between the Bohemian Massif, eastern Alps and the Western Carpathians in Central Europe and regionsof ancient rapid events indicated by relics of large impact craters Vredefort, Chicxulub and Popigai.
It is suggested that landform patterns with very conspicuous combination of significantly high positive or negative values the radial second derivates of the disturbing gravitational potential are under strong influence of rapid and/or intensive geomorphic processes. these geophysical signatures supported by values of the strike angle and virtual compression or dilatation of the ellipse of deformation reflect regional dynamics of Earth surface evolution as characterised by a very effective integration of tectonic driven and climate-morphogenetic processes.