Landscape Evolution in Glacier Valleys of Glaciokarsts

Abstract

The landscape evolution of the glacier valleys of glaciokarsts is described. Depending on the character of coveredness (quality and thickness of the cover), altitude and the presence of karst features, different ways of geomorphic evolution occur adjacently. Most widespread is the denudation of bare surfaces by karren formation. During this process, beds are denuded, which is primarily controlled by the dip direction of the beds. The denudation of beds may modify the original cross-section of valleys. On terrains covered with caprock, the cover is becoming thinner by erosion processes since the debris is transported into the karst depressions and then from here into the karst. On terrains covered with limestone debris, if the cover is purely limestone debris, denudation is cyclical. The thick cover becomes thinner by dissolution and subsequently, the bedrock is dissolved by karren formation if water with dissolution capacity arrives at the bedrock. Then, the debris that developed on the bedrock makes the cover thicker from below. Reaching an adequate thickness, the process is repeated by the dissolution of the cover debris. In cirques, the superficial deposit is transported into the karst, which is supplied from the slopes, increasing the upfilling of the feature.