The origin of glacial alpine landscape in Tröllaskagi Peninsula (North Iceland)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The Tröllaskagi Peninsula is located in north central Iceland, between meridians 19º30'W and 18º10'W , limited

Proposal for geomorphological mapping of debris-covered and rock glaciers and its application to Tröllaskagi Peninsula (Northern Iceland)

“…The final geomorphological map (Main Map) defines the most important units of the Hóladalsjökull debris-covered glacier and the Fremri-Grjótárdalur rock glaciers, and the internal features within each unit. The differentiation between active and relict rock glaciers agrees with criteria specified in previous publications (Andrés et al, 2016;Farbrot et al, 2007;Kellerer-Pirklbauer et al, 2008;Tanarro et al, 2019).…”

“…In the cirque-shaped headwaters of these valleys there are currently numerous glaciers, mostly not exceeding 2 km in length. A few are debris-free glaciers, and most are debris-covered and rock glaciers (Andrés, Palacios, Tanarro, & Fernández, 2016;Fernández, Andrés, Saemundsson, Brynjólfsson, & Palacios, 2017). Lilleøren et al (2013) have identified 118 rock glaciers, of which 51 are talus-derived rock glaciers and 67 are glacier-derived rock glaciers.…”

“…All the rock glaciers of this cirque occupy an area of 0.96 km 2 . In the western sector of the Hóladalsjökull cirque a small rock glacier has formed, covering an area of 0.29 km 2 with its front descending to altitude 904 m. The rock glaciers have been divided into different units in terms of their morphology, altitudinal position, and dynamics (Andrés et al, 2016;Kellerer-Pirklbauer et al, 2008;Tanarro et al, 2019;Wangensteen et al, 2006).…”

Methodological proposal for the analysis of the evolution of glaciers since the Little Ice Age and its application in the Tröllaskagi Peninsula (northern Iceland)

“…These cirques shelter over 160 small glaciers, mostly north-facing, resulting from the leeward accumulation of snow coming from the plateau (Caseldine and Stötter, 1993) and reduced exposure to solar radiation. Most of them are rock glaciers and debriscovered glaciers, due to the intense paraglacial activity affecting the walls (Andrés et al, 2016). These glaciers are characterized by almost static behaviour because the insulating effect of their debris cover leaves them with little or no sensitivity to the climate (Martin et al, 1991).…”

“…This article integrates a methodological sequence that complements most of the indicators and techniques presented in order to analyze the impact of climate change on glaciers and their response based on the analysis of different variables. Therefore, the objective of this study is to propose and evaluate a methodological approach applied in a particularly sensitive area where glaciers dynamically respond to the changes in the elements that make up the climate (Andrés et al, 2016), and applicable in any area of study. To illustrate the methodology, three glaciers have been selected (Gljúfurárjökull and Western/Eastern Tungnahryggsjökull) which are located in the interior of the Tröllaskagi Peninsula (northern Iceland).…”