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Glacial Cirques in the Romanian Carpathians and Their Climatic Implications

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Landform Dynamics and Evolution in Romania

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Abstract

This section summarizes a morphometric analysis of glacial cirques from the Romanian Carpathians, further inferring climatic information from spatial patterns of morphometric traits. Results derived from the detailed statistical analysis of a comprehensive database of glacial cirques are presented briefly. The distribution of cirques by altitude, aspect, size, classification (cirque grade), and geology is presented and related to controlling factors. New contributions concerning the palaeoglaciation level during Late Pleistocene in the Romanian Carpathians, and the direction of prevailing winds during glaciation are provided. Statistical distributions of cirque size and shape are outlined and illustrated. A comprehensive data base of all glacial cirques in the Romanian Carpathians is now available to guide or substantiate further comparative or/and interdisciplinary studies. It is also possible to rank the mountain ranges by the degree of glacial modification.

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Correspondence to Marcel Mîndrescu .

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Mîndrescu, M., Evans, I.S. (2017). Glacial Cirques in the Romanian Carpathians and Their Climatic Implications. In: Radoane, M., Vespremeanu-Stroe, A. (eds) Landform Dynamics and Evolution in Romania. Springer Geography. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32589-7_9

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