Glacial and periglacial geomorphology of the eastern flank of the north Patagonian Andes: Quaternary morphoclimatic evolution

Abstract

The cold climate events of the Upper Cenozoic greatly modified the landscape of Patagonia, where a large number of relicts and active landforms of glacial, periglacial and paraglacial origin is preserved. To assess the regional paleoclimatic record when numerical ages are unavailable, the spatial distribution of local depositional landform sequences was analyzed in six mountain ranges located on the eastern margin of the North Patagonian Andes. The analysis of satellite images and digital elevation model, fieldwork research and its integration into a Geographical Information System were used to develop a detailed inventory of mountain landforms. A total of 67 glacial valleys, 97 glacial cirques, 94 moraines, 75 rock glaciers, 103 protalus ramparts, and more than 145 km² and 100 km² of surface affected by solifluction and mass wasting processes respectively were mapped. From the analysis of the spatial and altitudinal distribution of landforms, we defined temporal and spatial sequences of morpho-climate importance. We recognized four major morpho-climate events associated with local paleoclimate conditions and one stage of a recent paraglacial adjustment. The oldest cold climate event recognized might be correlated with the Last Glacial Maximum. The results show the rise in the average air temperature and an aridity trend for the study area since the Late Pleistocene. During this lapse, glacial environments evolved to periglacial environments, although was recognized their coexistence in some areas in the same mountain range.