Quaternary landscape evolution of Sierra Nevada (Southern Spain): state of the art

Abstract

Sierra Nevada’s landscape is basically a consequence of Quaternary climate oscillations. The coldest periods during the Pleistocene favoured glacial development in the massif, with glaciers flowing downvalleys reaching altitudes lower than 2500 m. Landforms and deposits left by glaciers allow reconstructing several phases of glacier advance and recession. Geomorphological evidences of glacier advance during the Last Glacial maximum are widespread both in the south and north slopes of Sierra Nevada. The deglaciation occurred relatively rapidly and was only interrupted by short cold pulses that activated glaciers and spread periglacial processes (e.g. Late Glacial). The landscape evolution in the highest parts of the massif since the Last Glacial Maximum has been mainly controlled by periglacial activity that has reshaped the preexisting glacial morphologies, with only ephemeral development of small glaciers in the headwaters of the highest western cirques (e.g. Little Ice Age). During the coldest stages of the Holocene periglacial processes spread to altitudes down to 2500 m triggering active slope processes, whereas warm phases were more favourable to generate soil formation and geomorphic stability. The warming trend initiated since the mid-19th century melted the southernmost European glaciers and conditioned cold geomorphological processes to migrate to upper altitudes.