Post-sedimentary Transformation of Lateral Moraines——the Tributary Tongue Basins of the Kvíárjkull(

• 作 者: Lasafam Iturrizaga
• 机 构: Institute of Geography/High Mountain Geomorpholog Goldschmidtstr.5,37077 Gttingen,Germany,
• 出 处: Journal of Mountain Science
• 发表日期: 2008年01期
• 关键词: glacier tongue sedimentary landscape Transformation volcanic debris subsequent a

The Kvíárjkull,a southern outlet glacier of the Vatnajkull,is confined in the mountain foreland by lateral moraines measuring a height of up to 150 m. Each of the lateral moraines shows considerable breaches with deviations of the main moraine ridges. The paper discusses the possible origins of these modifications of the lateral moraines as result of: 1) ice overlappings during glacier advances and subsequent breaches of the lateral moraine,2) bifurcations of the Kvíárjkull glacier tongue triggered by the preglacial relief conditions and the prehistorical moraine landscape leading to afflux conditions,3) drainage of ice-marginal glacier lakes and 4. volcanic activities,such as lava flows and volcanic-induced jkulhlaups. A historic-genetic model of the formation of the lateral moraines is presented considering the breaches in the lateral moraines as result from glacier bifurcations and therefore as former tributary tongue basins. Such breaches in the lateral moraines are also common landscape features at glaciers outside of Iceland and are from wider importance for the paleoreconstruction of former glacier stages. The knowledge of their development is essential for an adequate relative age classification of individual moraine ridges. In regard to the origin of the debris supply areas of the large-sized Kvíárjkull moraines,the resedimentation of prehistoric till deposits by younger glacier advances plays a role in the formation of the lateral moraines apart from englacial and supraglacial sediment transfer processes.

The Kvíárjkull, a southern outlet glacier of the Vatnajkull, is confined in the mountain foreland by lateral moraines measuring a height of up to 150 m. Each of the lateral moraines shows considerable breaches with deviations of the main moraine ridges. paper discusses the possible origins of these modifications of the lateral moraines as result of: 1) ice overlappings during glacier advances and subsequent breaches of the lateral moraine, 2) bifurcations of the Kvíárjkull glacier tongue triggered by the preglacial relief conditions and the prehistorical moraine landscape leading to afflux conditions, 3) drainage of ice-marginal glacier lakes and 4. volcanic activities, such as lava flows and volcanic-induced jkulhlaups. A historic-genetic model of the formation of the lateral moraines is recommended considering the breaches in the lateral moraines as result from glacier bifurcations and therefore as former tributary tongue basins. Such breaches in the lateral moraines are also common landscape features at glaciers outside of Iceland and are from wider importance for the paleoreconstruction of former glacier stages. The knowledge of their development is essential for an adequate relative age classification of individual moraine ridges. In regard to the origin of the debris supply areas of the large-sized Kvíárjkull moraines, the resedimentation of prehistoric till deposits by younger glacier advances plays a role in the formation of the lateral moraines apart from englacial and supraglacial sediment transfer processes.