WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Feb. 24 -- William and Mary issued the following news release:
Hike north on the Appalachian Trail and the scenery slowly transforms. Rugged, steep ridgelines in Tennessee and Virginia soften into the broad summits and smooth peaks of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
According to new research from William & Mary Assistant Professor of Geology Joanmarie Del Vecchio, this contrast speaks to an ancient past. Using climate models of the last Ice Age, her data suggests that temperature patterns from tens of thousands of years ago explain this shift in topography better than modern climate conditions or tectonics.
This research helps to clarify the confusing relationship between climate and erosion.
"It's tempting to assume tha...