Holocene debris cone evolution in Glen Etive, Western Grampian Highlands, Scotland

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Abstract
Stratigraphic investigations, radiocarbon dating of buried soils and pollen analyses were employed to reconstruct the history of development of a fluvially‐reworked debris cone in Glen Etive. Paraglacial aggradation of debris flow deposits resulted in cone formation between c. 10000 yr B.P. and c. 4000 yr B.P. until supplies of sediment from upslope were effectively exhausted and debris flow activity ceased. There ensued a prolonged period of stability and soil development on the cone surface. This ended sometime after c. 550 yr B.P. when human interference (including burning) resulted in destruction of the natural vegetation cover and triggered fluvial incision and the development of an alluvial fan of reworked sediment that buried the lower part of the debris cone. The wider implications of these findings are discussed.