Current end-member models for the geodynamic evolution of orogenic plateaus predict (a) slow and steady rise during crustal shortening and ablative subduction (i.e., continuous removal) of the lower lithosphere or (b) rapid surface uplift following shortening, which is associated with punctuated removal of dense lower lithosphere and/or lower crustal flow. This review integrates results from recent studies of the modern lithospheric structure, geologic evolution, and surface uplift history of the Central Andean Plateau to evaluate the geodynamic processes involved in forming it. Comparison of the timing, magnitude, and distribution of shortening and surface uplift, in combination with other geologic evidence, highlights the pulsed nature of plateau growth. We discuss specific regions and time periods that show evidence for end-member geodynamic processes, including middle–late Miocene surface uplift of the southern Eastern Cordillera and Altiplano associated with shortening and ablative subduction, latest Oligocene–early Miocene and late Miocene–early Pliocene punctuated removal of dense lower lithosphere in the Eastern Cordillera and Altiplano, and late Miocene–early Pliocene crustal flow in the central and northern Altiplano.

Erosion-vegetation interactions: The impact of vegetation on erosion rates is hard to gauge. Although vegetation can hold soils in place mechanically, root systems can also loosen soils or even help to fracture rock. These processes can increase erosion, especially because areas of heavy vegetation tend to be in areas with high precipitation rates. Starke et al. tackled this issue using a large set of observations that span 3500 km of the Andes mountain range. They found a complex set of interactions where increasing vegetation decreases erosion in more arid regions but can accelerate erosion in vegetation dense regions. Science , this issue p. 1358

Steep U‐shaped valleys produced by glaciation are commonly eroded by rockfall. In this study we investigate modern and long‐term (power law predicted) rates of rock wall retreat in a deglaciated valley. Our emphasis is on the 5.2 km² calcareous cliffs covering in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland. Terrestrial laser scans were collected during nine field campaigns over 18 months to provide a continuous coverage of most of the valley walls. Results indicate a total of 122 rockfalls with volumes ranging between 0.06 ± 0.01 and 119.34 ± 1.07 m³. Different size groups of rockfall events were correlated with environmental factors (e.g., freeze‐thaw cycles/temperature, precipitation, and seismicity) using a linear regression with variable lag times of 0–6 months. The highest correlation factor (r = 0.6, P = 0.08, 90% significance level) is observed for freeze‐thaw cycles and rockfall events smaller than 1 m³ with a 2 month delay between temperature extremes and rockfall. Frequency‐magnitude relationships for rockfall events were calculated to predict less frequent larger rockfall events that did not occur during the observation period. A Monte Carlo analysis was applied to the frequency‐magnitude relationship to evaluate the sensitivity of results to their stochastic nature. An average power law exponent of 1.71 ± 0.09 was calculated using linear regression. The calculated exponents are similar to other studies in calcareous rock settings conducted over different observation durations. Finally, we determine an average total eroded volume of m³/yr and a corresponding long‐term (power law predicted) cliff retreat rate of .