Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes in the Hérens Valley

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_4B810297F315
Type
A part of a book
Publication sub-type
Chapter: chapter ou part
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes in the Hérens Valley
Title of the book
World Geomorphological Landscapes
Author(s)
Lambiel Christophe
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
ISBN
9783030432010
9783030432034
ISSN
2213-2090
2213-2104
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2021
Editor
Reynard E.
Pages
263-275
Language
english
Abstract
The Hérens Valley is one of the main tributary catchments of the upper Rhone River valley. Despite the relative dryness of the climate, many large glaciers are present, thanks to altitudes rising up to 4,357 m a.s.l., reached at the top the Dent Blanche. Many early Lateglacial moraine deposits occur in the northern part of the valley (Euseigne Pyramids, La Luette moraines), whereas moraines from the Younger Dryas are mainly present on its orographic left side. Little Ice Age moraines present a large diversity of facies, from long moraine ridges to thick morainic bastions. The Ferpècle and Arolla catchments contain large glacier forefields, where strong paraglacial activity occurs. Periglacial landforms are also well developed in the valley. In its northern part, large relict rock glaciers are present, among which many are densely vegetated thanks to the schist lithology. Active rock glaciers are concentrated in the southern half of the catchment, where altitudes are higher. The valley presents also a large diversity of solifluction landforms.
Keywords
Hérens Valley, Glacial and periglacial landforms, Moraines, Rock glaciers, Solifluction
Create date
09/11/2015 1:04
Last modification date
11/01/2023 7:52
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