Glacial cirques in Scandinavia

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Abstract
An important part of this article is the map of cirque distribution in Scandinavia, based on topographic maps of the largest scale available and on field control. The cirque distribution pattern is divided into three groups: areas with high cirque concentration, extensive areas with widespread cirques, and mountain areas without cirques. In the first group a distinction is made between high mountains and some fjord areas. The distribution differences are explained by altitude, relative relief, slope angle and general glacial development. The cirque sizes (maximum width at the upper edge) are presented in five groups from 2000 m and show a higher frequency of smaller cirques in some fjord areas and a slightly higher frequency of larger cirques in the inland areas. Concerning aspect, the differences are small in the regional groups. In fjord areas with high cirque concentrations, cirques with sloping floors are more frequent. The cirque interference with other glacial and interglacial fluvial forms can give a relative dating. This is mainly observed in the marginal areas. The difference in altitude between summits with cirques with and without glaciers indicates a late drop in altitude of the glaciation level of about 500 m. This might belong to a Late Weichselian cold interstadial. Finally, an attempt is made to determine a preliminary dating of cirque formation expressed in years.

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