A note on rock glaciers in the Albanian Alps

• Published in: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Main Authors: Palmentola, G., Baboci, K., Gruda, G. J., Zito, G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1995
• Subjects: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ppp.3430060306; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fppp.3430060306; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ppp.3430060306

Abstract In the Albanian Alps, above 1700 m a.s.1., sixteen inactive rock glaciers have been identified, all colonized by herbaceous vegetation. Assuming a −2°C isotherm for the activity of rock glaciers, and after calculating the atmospheric lapse rate, it is estimated that thermal conditions must have been 6.4°C lower than the present mean annual temperature. Because rock glaciers occupied surfaces covered by ice during the periglacial Würm period, they cannot be older than 14,000‐17,000 years; so they are probably referable to the Dryas. Such a temperature drop took place probably during the Dryas.