Some pre-Wurm periglacial phenomena on the southern margin of the Alps

Abstract

Article in French.

ORIGINAL TITLE: Quelques phenomenes periglaciaires prewurmiens de la bordure sud des Alpes

Quaternary folds have been observed at the foreland of the Lombard Prealps, affecting Gunz moraines and Gunz alluvium between Varese and Milan. They are all covered by horizontal interglacial layers, which in turn are overlain by Mindel moraines. They can be interpreted as a cryonival effect, probably Gunz in age. Two folds affect the Gunz moraine and penetrate vertically in a pointed manner into the Mindel moraine, which is extremely decalcified and ferruginized, whereas the Gunz moraine is very rich in limestone clasts. This indicates that the phenomenon occurred not only after the Mindel, but also after the ferruginization of the Mindel moraine, and therefore perhaps during the Riss