Glacier circus: what is and how is it

A glacier circus is a semicircular depression that has very inclined walls And it is formed in the accumulation zonethe highest part of a glacier where it snows and the presence of very low temperatures causes snow to remain solid, feeding the glacier. Its shape is due to the basal erosion process, the background drag and the fragmentation of the rocks of the walls generated by the freezing of water between cracks, fractures and pores. When the ice is no longer present, glacier lakes are usually formed.

Glacial circuses are Important climate indicatorssince their formation, size and conservation depend directly on the temperature and precipitation conditions. Being closely linked to snow accumulation and thaw, circuses allow to study past and current climate changes.

Glacier circuses originate from Progressive expansion of depressions on mountainous slopeswhich may be associated with river processes, volcanic or mass movements, such as landslides. When these depressions are filled with snow, they begin to expand through processes such as freezing and defrosting, chemical weathering and seasonal meteorization.

Glacier circus growth occurs when The accumulated snow thickness is sufficient As if, by compaction, glacier ice is formed. Once the glacier develops, it widens and deepens the circus through subglacial abrasion and erosion in the base and wall of the header. In addition, circuses can continue to grow by regressive erosion of the head of the header, caused by the action of frost, thaw and mass movement.

As circuses expand and merger, they transform the original interfluvial topography, creating a Sharp ridge structure Alpine style, characterized by edges and horns. More frequently, these elements make up the highest and higher areas of the glacial valleys, and even some river valleys. They can be presented as isolated formations or as part of a broader alpine landscape, where circus glaciers have advanced beyond their initial limits to give rise to more extensive valley glaciers.

• High valleys of Aragon and Gállego, Spanish Pyrenees: On this site, 206 glaciers circuses have been identified that have a great morphometric variability and topographic situations. Studies have shown that some environmental variables such as altitude, exposure and lithology influence the shape and size of circuses, but their control over these is quite limited.
• Snowdonia glacier circuses in the United Kingdom: The formation of this circus goes back to the last ice age. It has a U -shaped valley with steep cliffs that surround a glacial lake. Currently, the site works as an educational center for geology students.
• Martial glacier, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina: To the north of the city of Ushuaia in Argentina in the Martial Montes, is the Martial glacier, whose front is about 1,000 meters above sea level. This constitutes the most important fresh water source in the city. It is currently monitoring, since it has lost much of its surface due to global warming.
• Frébouze glacier, Italy: This circus type glacier has an surface of 11 km² and is located inside the grouts in the Mont Blanc massif. Unfortunately, like other glaciers in the world is in recoil.
• Pla de l’any, in comapedrosa, Andorra: It is located within the Communal Natural Park of the Compadrosa valleys in Andorra, Spain. It is a wide and deep glacier circus with great slope. It is one of the most accessible in the region, since it can be reached on foot or even horse.
• Glaciers of the Blanca Cordillera, Peru: In the Blanca mountain range, located in the north of the Peruvian Andes, there are numerous glacial circuses that give rise to imposing galling gaps. These circuses are fed by mountain glaciers, which are being reduced due to climate change. Some of the best known lagoons, such as Laguna 69, are a popular tourist destination, although they are also subject to scientific studies on glacier setback.
• Circus of the Meije, French Alps: It is a great prestige glacier circus, especially among mountaineers, due to its complex orography and the difficulty of accessing their peaks. This circus is formed by the glaciers of the Meije, and is famous for its impressive landscape, which includes large cliffs, sharp peaks and a mountain glacier that has been in setback since the mid -twentieth century.

Now that you know what a glacier circlo is, discover the largest glaciers in the world.

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