The Tatra Mountains during the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract

The Tatra Mountains extend along the border between Slovakia and Poland in the Western Carpathians. It is the highest and formerly one of the most glaciated massifs in the entire Carpathian mountain chain. We present a paleoglaciological map of the Tatra Mts. and its foreland (ca. 1270 km 2 ) for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) at the scale 1:50 000. We re-evaluate geomorphological evidence for all Tatra glacial systems identified in the literature based on new field mapping and remote sensing data analysis. Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and 10 m resolution digital elevation model (DEM) as a base topography, we have reconstructed, for the first time, the detailed extent and surface geometry of all Tatra LGM glaciers (55 glacier systems, total area ca. 280 km 2 ) based on the distribution of glacial erosional and depositional landforms. Our research results confirm stronger glaciation on the southern slopes of the Tatras due to local topography. We also conclude that distinct morainic amphitheaters, which predominate on the southern side of the highest, eastern part of the Tatras, were formed by debris-covered glaciers.

Quaternary stratigraphy and palaeogeography of Poland

“…Furthermore, a geomorphological record of the last glacial cycle coupled with the exposure age chronology, allowed to reconstruct the geometry of glaciers in the Tatra catchments during successive phases (Makos and Nitychoruk 2011;Makos et al 2013aMakos et al , b, 2014Zasadni and Kłapyta 2014). The LGM glaciers in the Tatra Mountains had different shapes, from single basins to dendritic systems, sometimes with expanded piedmont fronts (Makos et al 2014).…”

Deglaciation of the High Tatra Mountains

“…During the Last Glacial Maximum almost all catchments in the High Tatra Mountains were occupied with valley glaciers (Makos et al, 2014;Zasadni and Kłapyta, 2014). There is no evidence of an ice cap covering the highest summits of the massif.…”

“…5). The recent publication of Zasadni and Kłapyta (2014) presents the LGM glacial cover in the Tatras. The most prominent, maximum moraine ridges on the northern and southern side of the High Tatra Mountains were a subject of many paleogeographic and geomorphologic studies (e.g: Baumgart-Kotarba and Kotarba, 1997;2001;Lukniš, 1973).…”

Are sackungen diagnostic features of (de)glaciated mountains?

“…Repeated, heavy glaciations during the Pleistocene greatly impacted the current landscape. According to Zasadni and Kłapyta (2014), the Tatra Mts. hosted 55 glacier systems, which occupied a total of 280 km 2 during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; herein dated to ~26-18 ka BP).…”