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Permafrost–glacial evolution during the Holocene in the Italian Central Alps

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  • M. Guglielmin
  • N. Cannone
  • F. Dramis

Abstract

This paper discusses the Holocene evolution of two sites in the Central Italian Alps, the Foscagno Valley and the Stelvio–Livrio area, in terms of the interaction between permafrost distribution and glacial history. The applicability of phytosociological vegetation survey to investigate recent glacial evolution where geomorphological evidence is poor or totally absent is also illustrated. Bottom temperature of snow measurements and detailed geomorphologic survey and air‐photo interpretation were carried out in the Stelvio–Livrio area. Boreholes were drilled in each site, one (24 m deep) in the Foscagno rock glacier (2510 m ASL), the second (100.3 m deep) in dolostone‐limestone bedrock at the Stelvio Pass (3000 m ASL). The latter borehole is a component of the PACE European Permafrost Monitoring Network. In Foscagno Valley, the formation of permafrost during a cold and dry phase of the Holocene allowed the preservation of an ice body which otherwise would have disappeared. More recently, a Little Ice Age glacier advance, whose exact location and extension were defined by means of the analysis of vegetal associations, induced some degradation in the permafrost. In the Stelvio–Livrio area, a cold‐based glacier apparently had much less influence on the local permafrost evolution and thermal regime. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. RÉSUMÉ L'évolution holocène de deux sites des Alpes centrales italiennes, la vallée de Foscagno et la région de Stelvio‐Livrio, est discutée pour contribuer à la compréhension des relations entre la distribution du pergélisol et l'histoire glaciaire. Un autre but de l'étude était de vérifier la possibilité d'utiliser des relevés phytosociologiques pour comprendre l 'évolution récente glaciaire de zones où des évidences géomorphologiques sont maigres ou totalement absentes et de mieux comprendre ainsi la distribution du pergélisol. Des mesures BTS, des levés géomorphologiques détaillés et des interprétations de photos aériennes de la zone Stelvio‐Livrio ont été réalisés. Enfin, deux sondages ont été implantés : l'un (24 m de profondeur) dans le glacier rocheux de Foscagno (2510 m) et l'autre dans le substratum rocheux (100.3 m de profondeur) du Col du Stelvio (3000 m). Ce dernier sondage fait partie du réseau européen PACE de surveillance du pergélisol. Des levés phytosociologiques ont été réalisés dans les deux zones. Dans la vallée de Foscagno, la formation du pergélisol pendant une phase froide et aride de l'Holocène a permis la conservation d'un corps de glace qui, autrement, aurait disparu. Plus récemment, une avancée glaciaire pendant le Petit Age Glaciaire (dont la localisation et l'exacte extension ont été reconnues par les études phytosociologiques) a provoqué la dégradation du pergélisol. Dans la zone de Stelvio‐Livrio, un glacier à base froide a apparemment beaucoup moins influencé la distribution du pergélisol et son régime thermique. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Guglielmin & N. Cannone & F. Dramis, 2001. "Permafrost–glacial evolution during the Holocene in the Italian Central Alps," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(1), pages 111-124, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:perpro:v:12:y:2001:i:1:p:111-124
    DOI: 10.1002/ppp.379
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    1. Mauro Guglielmin & Stefano Ponti & Emanuele Forte & Nicoletta Cannone, 2021. "Recent thermokarst evolution in the Italian Central Alps," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(2), pages 299-317, April.

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