Open AccessThe geographical interest of historical documents to interpret the scientific evolution of the glacier existing in the Veleta cirque (Sierra Nevada, Spain) during the Little Ice Age
Author(s) -
Antonio GómezOrtiz,
Marc Oliva,
Ferran Salvador Franch,
Montserrat Salvà Catarineu,
Josep A. Planacastellví
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cuadernos de investigación geográfica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1697-9540
pISSN - 0211-6820
DOI - 10.18172/cig.3415
Subject(s) - glacier , cirque , massif , historical geology , physical geography , natural (archaeology) , geology , glacial period , archaeology , cirque glacier , landform , geography , summit , earth science , biogeosciences , geomorphology , paleontology , climatology , cryosphere , ice stream , sea ice
Historical documents have shown their potential to infer the origin and evolution of the glacier existing in the Veleta cirque, in the massif of Sierra Nevada (Spain). This information encompasses written sources spanning from the 17th to the mid-20th centuries, and provides valuable knowledge about the Little Ice Age. These new data complement the already existing geomorphological knowledge about the natural system and landscape evolution in Sierra Nevada, particularly with regards to glacial geomorphic events in the summit areas. From a transdisciplinary methodological approach, the results show that the Veleta glacier was a singular geomorphic event that owed its existence to the particular environmental conditions of the high lands of Sierra Nevada, besides the favourable morpho-topographical setting, altitude, aspect as well as microclimate conditions prevailing in this area.