The thick cemented Pleistocene successions surrounding Mount Canin (Julian Alps, NE Italy)

Abstract

This study describes the thick cemented terrestrial successions surrounding Mount Canin in the Julian Alps, discussing the tectono-sedimentary evolution of this portion of the Alpine Chain. Two main phases of sedimentary aggradation were recognized. A first was ascribed to an early Middle Pleistocene phase, when this part of the Alpine Chain was lower in elevation and was occupied by the Fella glacier, which flowed from the more elevated Austrian Alps. A second phase occurred later in the Middle Pleistocene and marks the development of glaciers in the northern Mount Canin. The angular unconformity between glacigenic deposits and the underlaying deformed breccia unit points to an uplift phase occurred in the time interval. The ongoing uplift of Mount Canin led to the development of large LGM glaciers, due also to the low environmental Equilibrium Line Altitude (envELA), which deeply carved the Raccolana Valley, exposing the older successions.