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It has been proposed that most cirques are source‐area depressions of large, deep‐seated rock‐slope failures. Yet the close relation between cirques and climate is convincing evidence of the dominance of… Click to show full abstract
It has been proposed that most cirques are source‐area depressions of large, deep‐seated rock‐slope failures. Yet the close relation between cirques and climate is convincing evidence of the dominance of glacial erosion, rather than rock‐slope failure, in mountain cirque development and distribution. Cirque floor altitudes have a lower limit that varies with snowfall by 1000 m or more between windward and leeward sides of mountain systems. Glaciation levels and equilibrium line altitudes implied by cirques vary in parallel with those for modern glaciers. Cirques are often found mainly on the poleward or leeward slopes of individual mountain ranges, as are modern small glaciers (because of solar radiation and wind effects on ablation and accumulation).
Journal Title: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
Year Published: 2020
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