Deglaciation of the High Tatra Mountains

M Makos

doi:10.18172/cig.2697

Abstract

Investigation on the glaciation of the High Tatra Mountains has an over 200 years long history. The chronology of the last deglaciation of the massif has been based mainly on geomorphologic evidence, thermo-luminiscence (TL) dating and few radiocarbon ages. This study presents the current state of knowledge about the last glacial cycle and its termination in the High Tatra Mountains based on exposure age chronology. 36Cl dating of glacial features applied on both the northern and the southern slope of the range, indicates that the maximum advance (LGM I) occurred in the time range between 25 and 20 ka and the subsequent episode (LGM II) when glaciers were stable, took place at around 18 ka. The mean annual temperature was depressed by 11-12ºC in relation to the modern conditions and precipitation was 40-50% of the present day value. The younger glacier advances or stillstands likely occurred at around 17-16 ka (LG1) and at 15 ka (LG2). Both of them can be correlated with the Greenland Stadial 2a (the Oldest Dryas). Modelled climatic conditions indicate cold and dry climate with 9-10ºC lower temperature and 30-50% lower precipitation. The Lateglacial Interstadial 2 is recorded as fast thinning of glaciers in the upper part of the catchments between 15 and 13 ka. The LG3 glacial episode is marked by well-fomed terminal moraines which were formed at around 12.5 ka. This cooling correlates well with the Younger Dryas (Greenland Stadial 1) when temperature in the Tatra Mountains was lower than today by about 6ºC and precipitation was about 75% of current values.

Highlights

Research on the Pleistocene glaciation of the Tatra Mountains has been carried out for over 200 years
The range is geographically divided into two parts: the lower Western Tatras and the higher Eastern Tatras (High Tatra Mountains)
The High Tatra Mountains are deeply incised by glacial valleys and cirques, but are not currently occupied by glaciers

Summary

Introduction

Research on the Pleistocene glaciation of the Tatra Mountains has been carried out for over 200 years. The range is geographically divided into two parts: the lower Western Tatras and the higher Eastern Tatras (High Tatra Mountains). Inferring from geomorphologic evidence and dating, the massif was glaciated at least several times It was the northernmost mountain range of the European alpine mountains with glaciers during the Pleistocene. Small glacierets or perennial snowfields exist in the glacial cirques below steep rock walls exposed to the north (Gądek, 2008) These features are located clearly below the climatic snow line, which is located at 2500-2600 m a.s.l. on the northern side and at. The aim of this paper is to present the current state of knowledge on the timing of deglaciation of the High Tatra Mountains based on exposure age chronology of glacial landforms and some of historical data sets. The course of deglaciation is supported by paleoclimatological parameters as equilibrium line altitude of glaciers, mean summer and annual temperature and sum of annual precipitation which are reconstructed based on glacier-climate modeling (Makos and Nitychoruk, 2011; Makos et al, 2013 a and b; 2014)

Glacial history of the Tatra Mountains

Last Glacial Maximum

Lateglacial

Findings

Conclusions