Premières recherches de morphologie karstique dans le massif du Durmitor

Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography

2008

The Debeli Namet glacier in the Durmitor massif, Montenegro, is one of the lowest altitude glaciers (2050-2300 m) at this latitude (42-44°N) in the northern hemisphere. The glacier survives well below the climatological equilibrium line altitude because of substantial inputs from avalanching and windblown snow. The glacier survived two of the hottest summers on record in 2003 and 2007, although it experienced significant retreat. However, during the intervening years (2004)(2005)(2006) the glacier increased in size and advanced, forming a new frontal moraine. This rapid advance was primarily in response to much cooler summer temperatures, close to or cooler than average, and a marked increase in winter precipitation. The rapid growth and decay of the Debeli Namet glacier in response to inter-annual climate variability highlights the sensitivity of small cirque glaciers to short-term climate change.

Section: Concluding Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Response of a montenegro glacier to extreme summer heatwaves in 2003 and 2007

Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography

2008

“…In addition, topoclimatic controls are influenced by the underlying geology. In limestone areas, karstic processes are known to produce complex topography and favouring accumulation and reducing ablation compared with other lithologies, a phenomenon noted across the Mediterranean mountains (Allix, 1930;Barbier and Cailleux, 1950;Nicod, 1968;Hughes et al, 2007). This has been shown to be important for the survival of 23 very small glaciers and ice patches in the Julian Alps (Italy-Slovenia border) in addition to avalanching and the effect of moraines damming the ice features (Colucci, 2016).…”

Section: Little Ice Age Glaciers and Climate In The Mediterranean Moumentioning

confidence: 99%

Little Ice Age glaciers and climate in the Mediterranean mountains: a new analysis

2018

CIG

Glaciers were common across the Mediterranean mountains during the Little Ice Age. In parts of Turkey some glaciers were several kilometres longer than they are today, whilst in the Pyrenees glaciers were up to several hundred metres longer. In the wettest Mediterranean mountains, such as the Dinaric Alps, many small glaciers and perennial snow patches would have been present. Even in driest and most southerly mountains, such as the High Atlas, small glaciers and perennial snowfields were present. This paper examines the evidence from these two contrasting regions (the western and southern Balkans and the High Atlas) and the climatic significance of glaciers in these areas during the Little Ice Age. Particular focus is given on the climatological controls on glacier mass balance in different climatic conditions. Glaciers in cold and dry climates exhibit different sensitivity to regional climate change compared with glaciers in cold and wet climates. In addition, the factors controlling ablation of glaciers in different climatic regimes can differ considerably, especially the relative contributions and effects of melting and sublimation. All Mediterranean mountain glaciers were strongly controlled by local topoclimatic factors. Avalanche-fed glaciers have proven to be the most resilient to climate change and dramatically increased accumulation from avalanching snow explains the surviving glaciers in the Dinaric Alps and the semi-perennial snow fields of the High Atlas. In addition, geology as well as landscape morphology inherited from Pleistocene glaciations plays a role in explaining the patterns of Little Ice Age glacier distribution and especially the patterns of retreat and survival of these glaciers. The resilience of some of the last remaining Mediterranean glaciers, in the face of warming climate, presents a contradiction and comparisons between glaciers gone and those that remain provides important insight into the future of similar glaciers globally.

“…However, Nicod (1968) presented a photograph of a 'moraine de névé' in the Karlica cirque below the north-facing cliffs of Slijeme (2455 m a.s.l.) in the Durmitor massif, Montenegro.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent behaviour of the Debeli Namet glacier, Durmitor, Montenegro

Earth Surf Processes Landf

2007

A small cirque glacier is present in a north-east facing cirque on the mountain of 5ljeme (2455 m a.s.l.) in the Durmitor massif, Montenegro. Sediment ridges in front of this glacier are interpreted as moraines and can be attributed to recent glacier activity over the past 130 years. Lichenometry was applied to determine the relative ages of different moraines using Aspicilia calcarea agg. One set of moraines dates from about 1878 AD, whilst another set of inner moraines dates from about 1904 AD. The most recent moraines appear to have formed within the last 11 years in front of an active glacier margin.