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Monday 7 March 2011

The Glaciation of Carningli



 

The main features of the geomorphology of Carningli.  Top:  Photo of the mountain from the W, showing the glaciated flanks and the nunatak coincifing with the highest peaks.
Middle:  a satellite image of the whole of the mountain.  The arrows show the approx directions of ice movement at the peak of the Devensian Glaciation, c 20,000 years ago.  The dotted area shows the extent of the nunatak which appears not to have been submerged by ice on this occasion. A= areas of ice-smoothed bedrock slabs. B= area of rough lateral moraines left by successively lower ice margin positions during ice wastage. C= probable windscoop area, now marked by a steep scree slope with much frost-shattered debris. The windscoop probably formed some time after the onset of deglaciation.   D= areas swept clean by eroding ice moving round the flanks of the mountain.

The lower image shows the northern end of the mountain in more detail.  The prominent ridge-like feature is not natural -- this is the defensive wall of the Iron Age Carningli Village.  The rock platforms on which the village is located probably were covered by flowing ice at the peak of the glacial phase, but melted out relatively early.

Click on any of the images if you want to enlarge it.

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