Analysis of digital elevation data for the Scottish Highlands and recognition of pre-Quaternary elevated surfaces

Remnants of elevated palaeosurfaces in the Scottish Highlands, proposed in numerous earlier studies, have been re-evaluated using digital elevation data from the Ordnance Survey. Histograms of elevation frequency, for areas 5, 10 and 20 km², displays multi-modal distributions which can be interpreted in terms of plateau and base-level components. The effects of glaciation, lithology and faulting can be inferred from patterns in the elevation distribution. The histogram modes reveal a series of elevated surfaces which broadly confirm previous, qualitative models of inclined Tertiary palaeosurfaces, but indicate a much more complex pattern. Many of the elevated surfaces are seen to be inclined towards two major faults, the Great Glen Fault and the Ericht-Laidon Fault. However, the highest surfaces may have crossed these fault zones uninterrupted. A model in which an episode of tectonic reactivation imposes a major change on pre-Quarternary geomorphological evolution in this area is proposed.