Physical-geographical factors of origin and evolution of the debeli namet glacier (Montenegro)

Abstract

The Debeli Namet glacier is located on the Durmitor Mountain in Montenegro. It is considered to be the southern most glaciers in Europe and the only modern glacier in overall area of Dinarids. In size is micro, i.e., embryonic glacier. The significant role in its origin and evolution had its macro, and particularly micro positioning respect to large relief landforms. Pleistocene cirques were recently under karst processes modified and transformed into karst forms (uvalas). Such closed forms considerably supported the accumulation of snow and formation of numerous snow patches as well as the Debeli Namet glacier. Geomorphological factors that supported the development of the Debeli Namet glacier are lowtemperatures (cryogenic), huge amounts of snow (nival) and carbonate basement (karst). In the highest elevations of the Durmitor Mt., as well as at other high mountains in Montenegro dominates periglacial process. On carbonate basement formed recent protalus ramparts, while those formed during the Little Ice Age survived. At non-carbonate basement persisted rock glaciers. According to recent morphology and climate conditions the hypothetical boundary of glacial process has been established to beneath the highest mountain peaks on Durmitor. As glacial process takes part above a periglacial zone, the glacier Debeli Namet represents the out of zone occurrence. Certain variations in glacier size were noted during instrumental observations. Analyses of two main climate factors (air temperature and precipitation) for the last four decades reflected on certain climate changes that had positive and negative influence on size of the Debeli Namet glacier. The most important changes were in its thickness while the length and the areal extent remained less affected due to its specific position.