Palaeogeography of the last two glacial episodes in the Massif Central, France

This chapter discusses paleogeography of the last two glacial episodes in the Massif Central in France. As a result of the altitudinal gradient from the west to the east in the massif, different glacial systems developed. To the west the massifs of Mont-Dore, Cantal, Aubrac, and Margeride thus form...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inDevelopments in Quaternary Science Vol. 2; pp. 111 - 112
Main Authors Buoncristiani, Jean-Francois, Campy, Michel
Format Book Chapter
LanguageEnglish
Published The Netherlands Elsevier Science & Technology 2004
Subjects
Geological surface processes (geomorphology)
Glaciology
Historical geology
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Summary:This chapter discusses paleogeography of the last two glacial episodes in the Massif Central in France. As a result of the altitudinal gradient from the west to the east in the massif, different glacial systems developed. To the west the massifs of Mont-Dore, Cantal, Aubrac, and Margeride thus form a north–south orientated mountain barrier extending about 150 km, where the highest peaks reach 1400–1880 m. Glaciation was, therefore, most extensive in this region. The most widespread Pleistocene glacier system in the Massif Central is found on the Massif du Cantal. Based on well-marked frontal moraines and other traces of glaciation, paleogeographical reconstruction shows that there was an ice-cap with several outlet glaciers. The Mont-Dore Massif is only a quarter the size and is also much younger than the Cantal.
ISBN:9780444514622
0444514627
ISSN:1571-0866
DOI:10.1016/S1571-0866(04)80060-5