The geographical interest of historical documents to interpret the scientific evolution of the glacier existing in the Veleta cirque (Sierra Nevada, Spain) during the Little Ice Age

• Published in: Cuadernos de investigación geográfica Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 267 - 292
• Main Authors: Gómez-Ortiz, A., Oliva, M., Salvador-Franch, F., Salvà-Catarineu, M., Plana-Castellví, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad de La Rioja 01-01-2018
• Subjects: ambiente periglaciar; Corral del Veleta; documentación histórica; glaciar; glacier; historical sources; Little Ice Age; Pequeña Edad del Hielo; periglacial environment; Sierra Nevada; Veleta cirque
• ISSN: 0211-6820; 1697-9540; 1697-9540
• DOI: 10.18172/cig.3415

Historical documents have shown their potential to infer the origin and evolution of the glacier existing in the Veleta cirque, in the massif of Sierra Nevada (Spain). This information encompasses written sources spanning from the 17th to the mid-20th centuries, and provides valuable knowledge about the Little Ice Age. These new data complement the already existing geomorphological knowledge about the natural system and landscape evolution in Sierra Nevada, particularly with regards to glacial geomorphic events in the summit areas. From a transdisciplinary methodological approach, the results show that the Veleta glacier was a singular geomorphic event that owed its existence to the particular environmental conditions of the high lands of Sierra Nevada, besides the favourable morpho-topographical setting, altitude, aspect as well as microclimate conditions prevailing in this area.