Gletschergeschichtliche Untersuchungen im spät- und postglazialen Bereich des Hinteren Lauterbrunnentals (Berner Oberland, Schweiz)

Abstract

Glacial Research in the Area of the Upper Lauterbrunnen Valley (Bernese Oberland, Switzerland) affected by Late Glacial and Holocene Glacier Extensions. The radiocarbon analysis of the base of a peat-bog, situated only 200 metres away from the outermost holocene extensionn but behind a late glacial moraine ridge, gave an age of at least 10’390 ± 150 yBP and marks the transition from late glacial to holocene gla-cialisation in the Alps. The special sequence of moraine ridges in the Upper Lauterbrunnen Valley is unique to the Swiss Alps and has enabled the establishment of a chronology of holocene maximum extensions based on radiocarbon data. The different Lobben advances, in particular, can be shown several times. The glaciers reached their greatest extensions near the Oberhornalp around 4’475 ± 75 yBP and again around 3’340 ± 80 yBP. Further phases of maximum extensions were registered around 3’800 yBP (?), 31500 yBP, 3’200 yBP, 2'550 yBP, 2’300 yBP, 1750 yBP, 1'300 yBP, l’OOO yBP, 750 yBP and 300 yBP as well as around 1774/76, 1822 and 1850. A general glacial retreat since 1850 has been interrupted by three short periods of extension or stagnation in 1880/90, 1920/30 and 1970/80. © Author(s) 2001. This work is distributed.