The geomorphic action of the seasonal snow cover in the Sierra de Ancares : northeastern slope of the Pico Cuiña (León)

Abstract

The geomophic action of the seasonal snow cover on the northeastern slope of Pico Cuiña (Sierra de Ancares, León province), is described. Mass movement of the snow is responsible for the quarrying of bedrock and the transport of loose clasts to the lower margins of the slope. Such geomorphic activity gives rise to a set of characteristic geoforms such as smoothed surfaces, striae, grooves, crescentic fractures, micro-ridges and protalus ramparts. Mass displacement of the snow cover comprises both fast (full-depth avalanches) and slow (snowslide) movements.