Impact of Mountain Glaciations on Tors, Blockflelds and Cryoplanation Features. Nunataks or Non-scoured Zones as Refugia?

摘要

An unexpected event of great importance to stimulate research on mountain geomorphology is the recent discovery of a frozen man from the stone age at the bottom of a glacier in the European Alps. I refer to the so-called Iceman Otzi, who was found on the 19 September 1991 near the frontier between Austria and Italy at 3200 m altitude and who was later dated by radiocarbon dating. He died about 5300 years ago. If that find is investigated, interpreted and reported on properly it can bring new light on many questions related to mountain research: geomorphology, climatology, biology and environmental history. This find can, for instance, help to revive and increase general interest in the scientifically unsolved problem of how life and landforms survived periods of glaciation in mountains.