The Medial Moraines of Ghiacciaio Dei Forni, Valtellina, Italy: Morphology and Sedimentology

Two distinct medial moraines are located on the tongue of Ghiacciaio dei Forni (Rhaetian Alps, Italy); they are formed by the confluence of three ice streams. The two ice-cored medial moraines originate from rock outcrops situated below the snow line. The moraines, which on the surface comprise angular clasts, extend for approximately 2 km and reach a maximum height of 10 m. Nourishment of the moraines seems to be due primarily to the supraglacial debris derived from the rock walls. Measurements made in the late summer of 1985 provided evidence of the role played by differential ablation in the development of these moraines. Sedimentological analysis further confirmed the mainly supraglacial origin of the debris comprising the moraines.