Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T12:19:18.943Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Mountain glaciation and paleoclimate reconstruction in the Picos de Europa (Iberian Peninsula, SW Europe)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2012

Enrique Serrano ,
Juan José González-Trueba  and
María González-García
Enrique Serrano*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo Prado de la Magdalena s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Juan José González-Trueba
Affiliation:
CIESE-Comillas, Universidad de Cantabria, Comillas, Spain
María González-García
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
*
⁎Corresponding author. Email Address:serranoe@fyl.uva.es, jjgtrueba@mail.com, maria_gonzalez@hotmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Geomorphic mapping and stratigraphic analysis of a lake core document the late Quaternary glacial history of the Central and Eastern Massifs of the Picos de Europa, northwestern Spain. The distribution of glacial deposits indicates that at their most advanced positions glaciers occupied 9.1 km2, extended as far as 7 km down-valley and had an estimated equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) ranging between 1666 and 1722 m. Radiocarbon dating of sediment deposited in a lake dammed by moraines of this advance show that the maximum glacial extent was prior to 35,280 ± 440 cal yr BP. This advance was followed by two subsequent but less extensive late Pleistocene advances, recorded by multiple moraines flanking both massifs and sedimentary characteristics in the lake deposits. The last recognized glacial episode is the 19th-century maximum extent of small Little Ice Age glaciers in the highest cirques above 2200 m.

Keywords

GlaciationGlacial GeomorphologyPaleoclimatePleistoceneLast Glacial MaximumIberian PeninsulaPicos de EuropaSpain
Type
Articles
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 78 , Issue 2 , September 2012 , pp. 303 - 314
Copyright
University of Washington

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allen, R.J., Siegert, M.J., and Payne, T. Reconstructing glacier based climates of LGM Europe and Russia: Part 3. Comparison with alternative palaeoclimate reconstructions. Climate of the Past Discussions 3, (2007). 1199–1233.Google Scholar
Andrieu, V., Hubschmann, J., Jalut, G., and Herail, G. Chronologie de la glaciation des Pyrénées Françaises. Dynamique de sédimentation et contenu pollinique des paléolacs: applications á la interprétation du retrait glaciaire. Bulletin Association Française pour l'Etude du Quaternaire 2–3, (1988). 55–67.Google Scholar
Bard, E., Rostek, F., and Ménot-Combes, G. Radiocarbon calibration beyond 20,000 14C yr B.P. by means of planktonic foraminifera of the Iberian Margin. Quaternary Research 61, (2004). 204–214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Benn, D.I., and Ballentyne, C.K. Paaleoclimatic reconstruction from Loch Lommond readvance glaciers in the west Drumochter Hills, Scotland. Journal of Quaternary Research 20, (2005). 577–592.Google Scholar
Benn, D.I., Owen, L.A., Osmaston, H.A., Seltzer, G.O., Porter, S.C., and Mark, B. Reconstructions of equilibrium-line altitudes for tropical and sub-tropical glaciers. Quaternary International 138–139, (2005). 8–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Böse, M. The last glaciation and geomorphology. Koster, E.A. The Physical Geography of Western Europe. (2005). Oxford University Press, Oxford. 61–74.Google Scholar
Brugger, K.A. Late Pleistocene climate inferred from the reconstruction of the Taylor River glacier complex, southern Sawatch Range, Colorado. Geomorphology 75, (2006). 318–329.Google Scholar
Calvet, M. The Quaternary glaciation of the Pyrenees. Ehlers, J., and Gibbard, P.L. Quaternary Glaciations–Extent and Chronology. Part I: Europe. (2008). Elsevier, London. 119–128.Google Scholar
Castañón, J.C., and Frochoso, M. La glaciación Würm en las montañas cantábricas. Cearreta, C., and Ugarte, F. The late Quaternary in the Western Pyrenean Region. (1992). Universidad del País Vasco, Bilbao. 319–332.Google Scholar
Castañón, J.C., and Frochoso, M. Hugo Obermaier y el glaciarismo pleistoceno. Moure, A. El hombre fósil 80 años después. (1996). Universidad de Cantabria, Santander. 153–176.Google Scholar
Chapron, E., Faïn, X., Magand, O., Charlet, L., Debret, M., and Mélières, M.A. Reconstructing recent environmental changes from proglacial lake sediments in the Western Alps (Lake Blanc Huez, 2543 m a.s.l., Grandes Rousses Massif, France). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 252, (2007). 586–600.Google Scholar
Dahl, S.O., and Nesje, A. Paleoclimatic based on equilibrium line altitude depressions of reconstructed Younger Dryas and Holocene cirque in Inner Nordfjord, western Norway. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 94, (1992). 87–97.Google Scholar
Danzeglocke, U., Jöris, O., and Weninger, B. CalPal-2007online . http://www.calpal-online.de(2009). accessed 2009-09-23 Google Scholar
Dean, W.E. Jr. Determination of carbonate and organic matter in calcareous sediments and sedimentary rocks by loss on ignition: comparison with other methods. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 44, (1974). 242–248.Google Scholar
Delmas, M., Gunnell, Y., Braucher, R., Calvet, M., and Bourlés, D. Exposure age chronology of the last glaciation in the Eastern Pyrenees. Quaternary Research 69, (2008). 231–241.Google Scholar
Ehlers, J., and Gibbard, P.L. Extent and chronology of glaciations. Quaternary Science Reviews 22, (2003). 1561–1568.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ehlers, J., Astakhov, V., Gibbard, P.L., Mangerud, J., and Svendsen, J.I. Late Pleistocene Glaciations in Europe. Elias, S.A. Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science. (2006). Elsevier, Chichester. 1085–1095.Google Scholar
Ehlers, J., Gibbard, P.L., and Hughes, P.D. Introduction. Ehlers, J., Gibbard, P.L., and Hughes, P.D. Quaternary glaciations: extent and chronology: a closer look. (2011). Elsevier, Amsterdam. 1–14.Google Scholar
Flor, G., and Bailón-Misioné, J.I. El glaciarismo cuaternario de los puertos de Àliva (Macizo Oriental de los Picos de Europa, Occidente de Cantabria). Cuaternario y Geomorfología 3, (1989). 27–34.Google Scholar
Florineth, D., and Schlüchter, C. Alpine evidence for atmospheric circulation patterns in Europe during the Last Glacial Maximum. Quaternary Research 54, (2000). 295–308.Google Scholar
Frochoso, M., and Castañón, J.C. La evolución morfológica del alto valle del Duje durante el Cuaternario. (Picos de Europa, NW España). Ería 11, (1986). 193–209.Google Scholar
Frochoso, M., and Castañón, J.C. El relieve glaciar de la Cordillera Cantábrica. Gómez Ortiz, A., and Pérez Alberti, A. Las huellas glaciares de las montañas españolas. (1998). Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela. 65–137.Google Scholar
Gale, S.J., and Hoare, P.G. The glacial history of the Northwest Picos de Europa on northern Spain. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 41, (1997). 81–96.Google Scholar
García-Ruíz, J.M., Valero, B.L., Martí, C., and González, P. Asynchroneity of maximum glacier advances in the central Spanish Pyrenees. Journal of Quaternary Science 18, (2003). 61–72.Google Scholar
García-Ruiz, J.M., Moreno, A., González, P., Valero, B., and Martí, C. La cronología del último ciclo glaciar en las montañas del sur de Europa. Una revisión. Cuaternario y Geomorfología 24, (2010). 35–46.Google Scholar
González Sampériz, P., Valero, B.L., Moreno, A., Jalut, G., García-Ruíz, J.M., Martí, C., Delgado, A., Navas, A., Otto, T., and Dedoubat, J. Climate variability in the Spanish Pyrenees during the last 30,000 yr revealed by the El Portalet sequence. Quaternary Research 66, (2006). 38–52.Google Scholar
González-Trueba, J.J. El paisaje natural del Macizo Central de los Picos de Europa. (2007). CIMA-Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Santander.Google Scholar
Gonzalez Trueba, J.J., 2007b. Geomorfologia del Macizo Central del Parque Nacional Picos de Europa. con Mapa geomorfologico E 1:25.000. OAPN-Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.Google Scholar
González-Trueba, J.J. Topoclimatical factors and very small glaciers in Atlantic Mountain of SW Europe: Little Ice Age glacier advance in Picos de Europa (NW Spain). Zeitschrift für Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie 39, (2006). 115–125.Google Scholar
González-Trueba, J.J., Serrano, E., (2010). Geomorfología del Macizo Oriental del Parque Nacional Picos de Europa. con Mapa geomorfológico E 1:25.000. OAPN-Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid.Google Scholar
Gonzalez-Trueba, J.J., Moreno, R., Martínez de Pisón, E., and Serrano, E. Little Ice Age glaciation and current glaciers in the Iberian Peninsula. The Holocene 18, (2008). 569–586.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heiri, O., Lotter, A.F., and Lemcke, G. Loss on ignition as a method for estimating organic and carbonate content in sediments: reproducibility and comparability of results. Journal of Paleolimnology 25, (2001). 101–110.Google Scholar
Hughes, P.D. Geomorphology and Quaternary stratigraphy: The roles of morpho-, litho-, and allostratigraphy. Geomorphology 123, (2010). 189–199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hughes, P.D., and Braithwaite, R.J. Application of a degree-day model to reconstruct Pleistocene glacial climates. Quaternary Research 69, (2008). 110–116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hughes, P.D., and Woodward, J.C. Timing of glaciation in the Mediterranean mountains during the last cold stage. Journal of Quaternary Science 23, (2008). 575–588.Google Scholar
Hughes, P.D., Woodward, J.C., and Gibbard, P.L. Late Pleistocene glaciers and climate in the Mediterranean. Global and Planetary Change 50, (2006). 83–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hughes, P.D., Woodward, J.C., van Calsteren, P.C., and Thomas, L.E. The glacial history of the Dinaric Alps, Montenegro. Quaternary Science Reviews 30, (2011). 3393–3412.Google Scholar
Ivy-Ochs, S., Kerschner, H., Reuther, A., Preusser, F., Heine, K., Maisch, M., Kubik, P.W., and Schluchter, C. Chronology of the last glacial cycle in the European Alps. Journal of Quaternary Science 23, (2008). 559–573.Google Scholar
Jalut, G., Andrieu, V., Delibrias, G., Fontugne, M., and Pagés, P. Palaeoenvironment of the valley of Ossau (Western French Pyrenees) during the last 27,000 years. Pollen et Spores 30, (1992). 357–393.Google Scholar
Jalut, G., Turu, V., Dedoubat, J.J., Otto, T., Ezquerra, J., Fontugne, M., Belet, J.M., Bonnet, J., García, A., Redondo, J.M., Vidal, J.R., and Santos, L. Palaeoenvironmental studies in NW Iberia (Cantabrian range): vegetation history and synthetic approach of the last deglaciation phases in the western Mediterranean. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 297, (2010). 330–350.Google Scholar
Jiménez, M., and Farias, P. New radiometric and geomorphologic evidences of a last glacial maximum older than 18 ka in SW European mountains: the example of Redes Natural Park (Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain). Geodinamica Acta 15, (2002). 93–101.Google Scholar
Jiménez, M., Ruíz, M.B., Farias, P., Dorado, M., Gil, M.J., and Valdeomillos, A. Palaeoenvironmental research in Cantabrian Mountains: Redes Natural Park and Comella basin. Ruiz, B., Dorado, M., Valdeolmillos, A., Gil, M.J., Bardají, T., Bustamante, I., and Martínez, J. Quaternary Climatic Changes and Environmental Crises in the Mediterranean Region. (2002). Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. 229–240.Google Scholar
Lewis, C.J., McDonald, E.V., Sancho, C., Peña, J.L., and Rhodes, E. Climatic implications of correlated Upper Pleistocene glacial and fluvial deposits of the Cinca and Gállego Rivers (NE Spain) based on OSL dating and soil stratigraphy. Global and Planterary Change 67, (2009). 141–152.Google Scholar
Lukas, S. Morphostratigraphic principles in glacier reconstruction—a perspective from the British Younger Dryas. Progress in Physical Geography 30, (2006). 719–736.Google Scholar
Mardones, M., and Jalut, G. La tourbière de Biscaye (alt. 409 m, Hautes Pyrénées): approche paléoécologique des 45.000 dernières années. Pollen et Spores 25, (1983). 163–212.Google Scholar
Matthews, J.A., Dahl, S.O., Nesje, A., Berrisford, M.S., and Andersson, C. Holocene glacier variations in central Jotunheimen, southern Norway, based on distal glaciolacustrine sediment cores. Quaternary Science Reviews 19, (2000). 1625–1647.Google Scholar
Moreno, A., Valero, B.L., Jiménez, M., Domínguez, M.J., Mata, M.P., Navas, A., González-Sampériz, P., Stoll, H., Farias, P., Morellón, M., Corella, J.P., and Rico, M.T. The last glaciation in the Picos de Europa Nacional Park (Cantabrian Mountains, nortern Spain). Journal of Quaternary Science 25, (2010). 1076–1091.Google Scholar
Muttoni, G., Carcano, C., Garzanti, E., Ghielmi, M., Piccin, A., Pini, R., Rogledi, S., and Sciunnach, D. Onset of Pleistocene glaciations in the Alps. Geology 31, (2003). 989–992.Google Scholar
Nesje, A., Kvamme, M., Rye, N., and Løvlie, R. Holocene glacial and climate history of the Jostedalsbreen region, western Norway; evidence from lake sediments and terrestrial deposits. Quaternary Science Reviews 10, (1991). 87–114.Google Scholar
Nesje, A., Matthews, J.A., Dahl, S.O., Berrisford, M.S., and Andersson, C. Holocene glacier fluctuations of Flatebreen and winter-precipitation changes in the Jostedalsbreen region, western Norway, based on glaciolacustrine sediment records. The Holocene 11, (2001). 267–280.Google Scholar
NGRIP High-resolution record of Northern Hemisphere climate extending into the last interglacial period. Nature 431, (2004). 147–151.Google Scholar
Obermaier, H. Estudio de los glaciares de los Picos de Europa. (1914). Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid.Google Scholar
Ohmura, A., Kasser, P., and Funk, M. Climate at the equilibrium line of glaciers. Journal of Glaciology 38, (1992). 397–411.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Palacios, D., De Marcos, J., and Vázquez-Selem, L. Last glacial maximum and deglaciation of Sierra de Gredos, central Iberian Peninsula. Quaternary International 233, (2011). 16–26.Google Scholar
Pallás, R., Rodés, A., Braucher, R., Carcaillet, J., Ortuño, M., Bordonau, J., Bourles, D., Vilaplana, J., Masana, E., and Santanach, P. Late Pleistocene and Holocene glaciation in the Pyrenees: a critical review and new evidence from 10Be exposure ages, south-central Pyrenees. Quaternary Science Reviews 25, (2006). 2937–2963.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pérez-Alberti, A., Valcárcel, M., and Blanco, R. Pleistocene glaciation in Spain. Ehlers, J., and Gibbard, P.L. Quaternary Glaciations- Extent and Chronology. (2004). Elsevier, London. 389–394.Google Scholar
Pérez-Alberti, A., Valcárcel, M., Martini, P., Pascucci, V., and Andreucci, S. Upper Pleistocene glacial valley-junction sediments at Pias, Trevinca Mountains, NW Spain. Martini, I.P., French, H.M., and Pérez Alberti, A. Ice-Marginal and Periglacial Processes and Sediments. Geological Society, Special Publications 354, (2011). 93–110. London Google Scholar
Porter, S.C. Equilibrium line altitudes of Late Quaternary glaciers in the Southern Alps, New Zealand. Quaternary Research 5, (1975). 27–47.Google Scholar
Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J.W., Bertrand, C.J.H., Blackwell, P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G.S., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks, R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hogg, A.G., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac, G., Manning, S., Ramsey, C.B., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R., Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., van der Plicht, J., and Weyhenmeyer, C.E. IntCal04 terrestrial radiocarbon age calibration, 0 to 26 cal kyr BP. Radiocarbon 46, (2004). 1029–1058.Google Scholar
Ruddimann, W.F., and McYntire, A. The North Atlantic Ocean during the last deglaciation. Palaeogeogrphy, Palaeoclimatolgy, Palaeoecology 35, (1981). 145–214.Google Scholar
Seltzer, G.O. Climatic interpretation of alpine snowline variations on millennial time scales. Quaternary Research 41, (1994). 154–159.Google Scholar
Serrano, E., and González-Trueba, J.J. Morfología y evolución glaciar en los Picos de Europa. Redondo, J.M., Gómez, A., González, R.S., and Carrera, P. El modelado de origen glaciar en las montañas leonesas. (2002). Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de León, León. 249–268.Google Scholar
Serrano, E., González-Trueba, J.J., Sanjosé, J.J., and Del Río, L.M. Ice patch origin, evolution and dynamics in a temperate high mountain environment: the Jou Negro, Picos de Europa (NW Spain). Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography 93, (2011). 57–70.Google Scholar
Serrano, E., González-Trueba, J.J., Pellitero, R., González-García, M., and Gómez-Lende, M. Quaternary glacial evolution in the Central Cantabrian Mountains (Northern Spain). Geomorphology (2012). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.05.001Google Scholar
Smart, P.L. Origin and development of glacio-karst closed depressions in the Picos de Europa, Spain. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 30, (1986). 423–443.Google Scholar
Vilaplana, J.M., and Montserrat, J. Recent progress in Quaternary stratigraphy: the lake Llauset sequence in the Spanish Pyrenees. Rose, J., and Schlüchter, C. Quaternary Type Sections: Imagination or Reality?. (1989). Balkema, Rotterdam. 113–124.Google Scholar
Woodward, J.C., Macklin, M.G., and Smith, G.R. Pleistocene glaciation in the mountains of Greece. Ehlers, J., and Gibbard, P.L. Quaternary Glaciations- Extent and Chronology. (2004). Elsevier, London. 155–174.Google Scholar
Zachos, J., Pagani, H., Sloan, L., Thomas, E., and Billups, K. Trends, rhythms, and aberrations in global climate 65 Ma to present. Science 292, (2001). 686–693.Google Scholar