A Late-glacial protalus rampart in Macgillycuddy's Reeks, south-west Ireland

Abstract:We present evidence of a relict protalus rampart on the south-facing flank of Macgillycuddy's Reeks, south-west Ireland. Our interpretation is based on its geomorphic similarities with actively forming landforms in Alpine environments and on its compliance with the criteria widely believed to be diagnostic of protalus ramparts. The landform is considered to have formed during the Younger Dryas because it lies within the reconstructed glacial limits of the Glenavy Stadial and outside the local Younger Dryas glacial limits. Estimates of annual rockwall retreat rates during the Younger Dryas Stadial, based on the volume of protalus rampart debris, vary between 1 3mm and 1 95mm per year.