Pleistocene Glacial Relief Of The Central Part Of Mt. Prokletije (albanian Alps)

摘要

The central and highest area of Mt. Prokletije (Albanian Alps) is situated in northern Albania and eastern Montenegro (at 42°30'N). The highest peak is Maja e Jezerces (2694 m). Detailed geomorphological mapping was used to reconstruct the positions of former glaciers. The longest Ropojana glacier had a length of 12.5 km and surface of 20 km~2; others include Valbona Glacier (9.5 km, 10.5 km~2), Grbaja Glacier (5 km, 6.7 km~2) and Bogicevica Glacier (6 km, 6.9 km~2). Three series of moraines can be distinguished: the lowest at an average altitude of 990m (average ELA 1750m), the middle series at 1350m (ELA 1942m), and the highest at 1900m (ELA 2123m). As no advanced dating methods have yet been used to provide a numerical chronological framework for these features, hypotheses are made based on the comparison with the advanced studies of other similar mountains in the Mediterranean region. The moraines of the first stage (lowest series) correspond to one of pre-LGM glaciations (Middle or even Early Wiirmian), the second stage moraines probably correspond to LGM, and the third stage could be attributed to Younger Dryas. The mapping included a number of inactive and active rock glaciers, as well as three small active glaciers (surface 5 ha and less), at 1980-2100 m altitude, in the area close to Maja e Jezerces.