The CAIRN method: automated, reproducible calculation of catchment-averaged denudation rates from cosmogenic nuclide concentrations

• Main Authors: S. M. Mudd, M.-A. Harel, M. D. Hurst, S. W. D. Grieve, S. M. Marrero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2016-08-01
• Series: Earth Surface Dynamics
• Online Access: http://www.earth-surf-dynam.net/4/655/2016/esurf-4-655-2016.pdf

We report a new program for calculating catchment-averaged denudation rates from cosmogenic nuclide concentrations. The method (Catchment-Averaged denudatIon Rates from cosmogenic Nuclides: CAIRN) bundles previously reported production scaling and topographic shielding algorithms. In addition, it calculates production and shielding on a pixel-by-pixel basis. We explore the effect of sampling frequency across both azimuth (Δ<i>θ</i>) and altitude (Δ<i>ϕ</i>) angles for topographic shielding and show that in high relief terrain a relatively high sampling frequency is required, with a good balance achieved between accuracy and computational expense at Δ<i>θ</i> = 8° and Δ<i>ϕ</i> = 5°. CAIRN includes both internal and external uncertainty analysis, and is packaged in freely available software in order to facilitate easily reproducible denudation rate estimates. CAIRN calculates denudation rates but also automates catchment averaging of shielding and production, and thus can be used to provide reproducible input parameters for the CRONUS family of online calculators.