Critical turning points in the geomorphological evolution of the Guadix-Baza Basin (Geopark Granada, Spain) during the middle to late Quaternary

Within the last 600 ka, the Guadix-Baza Basin underwent a number of significant geomorphological phases during its transformation from a flat endorheic basin towards the today´s deeply dissected erosion scenery.

Some of these phases represent turning points that introduced an entirely different geomorphic process structure such as the complex multi-phase capture of the basin. Other phases are characterized by unprecedented process intensities that, however, are leveled by opposing feedback-mechanisms such as incision and aggradation within dimensions of several tens of meters. Beside climate impact and the progressive down-cutting of the erosion base at the basin outlet, likewise tectonics exerted noticeable effects on prevalent geomorphic processes. Therefore, identifying causal factors remains a demanding task considering, furthermore, that climate archives are rare within the basin.

Here we present several examples in which way fluvial system behavior responded to certain external and internal impacts. Due to extensive geomorphological mapping and a hitherto unknown density of luminescence dating, we are able to provide a detailed picture of the fluvial evolution of the basin.