Periglacial phenomena in Italy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26485/BP/1962/11/7Keywords:
pleistocene periglacial phenomena, contemporary periglacial phenomena, polygonal soils, the Alps, the Central ApenninesAbstract
Article in French.
ORIGINAL TITLE: Les phénomènes périglaciaires en Italie
Two groups of periglacial phenomena have been observed in Italy: (1) Würmian or pre-Würmian phenomena and (2) contemporary phenomena.
In the first group, in addition to phenomena related to meteorological degradation caused by frost, we have the following examples: folds (some of uncertain origin), large clay pockets among fluvioglacial sands, scree slopes likely formed by frost, etc. These phenomena occur at low altitudes (100–200 m above sea level).
The second group is limited to mountainous areas, namely the Alps, the Central Apennines and Mount Etna. However, I believe that more detailed studies could also yield new discoveries in the Southern Apennines. This second group encompasses all types of periglacial phenomena, from turf mounds to structured soils, terraces, stone fields, rock flows, polygonal soils, silt flows, rock glaciers, etc.
A certain zonation of the various phenomena has been observed. For example, while turf mounds occur at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,500 m above sea level, polygonal and structured soils occur only above 2,700 m above sea level. A map of periglacial phenomena in Italy is presented.
