Last Glacial Maximum and early deglaciation in the Stura Valley, southwestern European Alps
We combined data from geomorphologic surveys, glacial modelling, and 10Be exposure ages of boulders on moraines, to investigate the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the early retreat glacial phases in the Stura Valley of the Maritime Alps. We used the exposure ages to reconstruct the timing of standstills or readvances which interrupted the post-LGM withdrawal, initiated ∼24 ka. We mapped and dated the frontal moraines of a first glacial standstill/readvance at a short distance (∼7 km) from the maximum external limit of the LGM, which occurred at ∼22 ka, and a second one at ∼19 ka (Bühl stadial). This morpho-chronologic succession is congruent with that obtained in the adjacent Gesso Valley and, combined with the similarity of Equilibrium Line Altitude values, demonstrates a consistent glacial response in the Maritime Alps to climatic forcing.
Our data are chronologically consistent with those of the southern flank of the European Alps, stressing not only a general synchroneity of the LGM across the various sectors, but also that of a LGM recessional standstill or readvance at ∼22 ka. The short distance between the LGM moraines and the recessionary phase moraines, and minimal difference in ELA indicate a modest variation in the mass balance of the Maritime Alps glaciers during this time interval. A similar modest variation between LGM and the first recessional phase glacier mass balance is also found throughout the western sector of the Southern Alps but is considerably more pronounced for the glaciers of the central-eastern sectors. This behaviour can be explained by the interplay between the moisture supplied by southern currents sourced in the Western Mediterranean and that advected by the westerlies sourced in the North Atlantic, which affected the various sectors of the Southern Alps differently.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Title | Last Glacial Maximum and early deglaciation in the Stura Valley, southwestern European Alps |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.quascirev.2022.107770 |
| Authors | Adriano Ribolini, Matteo Spagnolo, Andrew J. Cyr, Paolo Roberto Federici |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Quaternary Science Reviews |
| Index ID | 70237184 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center |
Related Content
Western Basin & Range - Eastern California Shear Zone
Related Content
- Science
Western Basin & Range - Eastern California Shear Zone
The Eastern California Shear Zone (ECSZ) Mapping project, funded by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, combines surficial and bedrock geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, and high-resolution topographic data analysis with neotectonic, geomorphic, structural, volcanic, and geochronologic studies to better understand the tectonic framework and landscape evolution of the ECSZ in the... - Data
- Connect