Palynology and sediment data from the high alpine karst cave on Jungfraujoch, Switzerland

Abstract

Sedimentological and palynological data from a high alpine karst cave in Switzerland are presented. The non-layered, unsorted sediments seem to be mainly morainic, brought into the cave on Jungfraujoch by ice or short-distance water transport. The observed pollen assemblages comprise high numbers of deteriorated and indeterminable grains, in parts probably due to repeated wet-dry cycles occurring with the freezing and thawing of the sediments. These obviously distorted spectra are, in many respects, comparable with records from other karst caves; however, results from similar high alpine situations are not available. Palynostratigraphic correlations and dating of the sediments are problematic, but there are indications of a pre-late Pleistocene age for the accumulation. The cave on Jungfraujoch is inactive today; current conditions (permafrost) restrict cave-forming processes to occasional breakdown.