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Spatial distribution of morphometric parameters of glacial cirques in the Central Pyrenees (Aran and Boí valleys)

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Abstract

Glacial cirques are typical landscape features of mid-latitude mountain environments like the Central Pyrenees. Their morphology as well as their spatial distribution provides insights about past glaciers and climates. In this study, we examine the distribution, morphometrical and topographical characteristics of glacial cirques in two U-shaped glacial valleys located in the Central Pyrenees–the Aran and the Boí valleys. They are located in different aspects of this mountain range (north vs south) under different climatic influences that promoted distinct glaciation patterns during the late Pleistocene. The spatial mapping of these landforms was carried out using high-resolution imagery and field observations. We analysed the data of the morphometrical and topographical variables of the glacial cirques by using different statistical and geospatial methods in order to unveil the factors controlling their formation and development. A total of 186 glacial cirques were mapped in the study area, including 119 in the Aran and 67 in the Boí valleys. The local topography and microclimate conditions lead to substantial differences in both areas in terms of the morphology and dimensions of the cirques. Glacial cirques in Boí are distributed at slightly higher elevations than in Aran and they are also larger, though their dimensions decrease with elevation in both valleys. Aran cirques are mostly oriented NE, while Boí landforms do not show any prevailing aspect. Even though lithology does not control the distribution of the glacial cirques, some specific lithological settings may favour the development of larger cirques. In general, glacial cirques in the Aran and the Boí valleys show morphometrical properties similar to those reported in other mid-latitude mountain ranges.

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Acknowledgements

Field work was supported by the Research Group Climate Change and Environmental Systems (ZEPHYRUS) of the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning of the University of Lisbon and a grant from the Erasmus + LLP Programme Grant funding the research stay of Luis Lopes at the University of Barcelona. Marc Oliva is supported by the Ramón y Cajal Program of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC-2015-17597). Financial support was also provided by the research group ANTALP (Antarctic, Arctic and Alpine environments, 2017-SGR-1102) and the PALEOGREEN (CTM2017-87976-P) and CRONOANTAR (CTM2016-77878-P) projects of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Geographical Studies–IGOT, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, 1600-276, Portugal

    Luis Lopes, Marcelo Fernandes & Pedro Palma

  2. Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, 08001, Spain

    Marc Oliva

  3. Environmental Management Center, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, LT-08303, Lithuania

    Paulo Pereira

  4. Department of Geography, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, 33011, Spain

    Jesús Ruiz-Fernández

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  1. Luis Lopes
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  2. Marc Oliva
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  3. Marcelo Fernandes
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  4. Paulo Pereira
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  5. Pedro Palma
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  6. Jesús Ruiz-Fernández
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Correspondence to Luis Lopes.

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Lopes, L., Oliva, M., Fernandes, M. et al. Spatial distribution of morphometric parameters of glacial cirques in the Central Pyrenees (Aran and Boí valleys). J. Mt. Sci. 15, 2103–2119 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-018-4873-x

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