Geographia Polonica (2003) vol. 76, iss. 2

High-mountain valley floors evolution during recession of Alpine glaciers in the Massif des Ecrins, France

Maria Baumgart-Kotarba, Jean-Paul Bravard, Michel Chardon, Vincent Jomelli, Stanisław Kędzia, Adam Kotarba, Pierre Pech, Zofia Rączkowska

Geographia Polonica (2003) vol. 76, iss. 2, pp. 65-87 | Full text

Abstract

The age of recent glacial, glacifluvial/fluvial forms is determined using lichenometric dating in two Alpine valleys of the Massif des Ecrins in France. A lichen growth-curve is based on data from natural sites, such as boulder-fields, moraine ridges etc. of known age on recently deglaciated terrain. The maximum extent of the glacial system of the Veneon and Etangons valleys during the Little Ice Age was 15 km in length. The maximum lichen diameter of 90-95 mm characterizes the stage of recession correlated with AD. 1650-1660. Analysis of the systems of terraces and paleochannels of the progla-cial rivers supported by lichenometric dating allows three periods of intensified fluvial activity to be distinguished for the Little Ice Age.

Keywords: deglaciation landforms, lichenometry, Little Ice Age, Massif des Ecrins, France

Maria Baumgart-Kotarba, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Kraków, Poland
Jean-Paul Bravard, Université de Lyon 2, Faculté GHHAT, 5, av. Pierre Mendes, 69676 Bron, France
Michel Chardon, Institut de Géographie Alpine, 14 bis av. Marie-Reynoard, 38100 Grenoble, France
Vincent Jomelli, Institut de Géographie, Université Paris I-Sorbonne, 191, rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris, CNRS Laboratoire de Géographie Physique 1, pl. A.Briand 92195, Meudon Cedex, France
Stanisław Kędzia [kedzia@zg.pan.krakow.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Kraków, Poland
Adam Kotarba [kotarba@zg.pan.krakow.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Kraków, Poland
Pierre Pech [pierre.pech@univ-paris1.f], Institut de Géographie, Université Paris I-Sorbonne, 191, rue Saint-Jacques, 75005 Paris, CNRS Laboratoire de Géographie Physique 1, pl. A.Briand 92195, Meudon Cedex, France
Zofia Rączkowska [raczk@zg.pan.krakow.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Św. Jana 22, 31-018 Kraków, Poland