Late-glacial ice advances in the western Italian Alps

The extent of ice on the south side of the Mont Blanc massif during two late-glacial readvances is known primarily from the distribution of crystalline erratics on sedimentary and metasedimentary terrain, and from the distribution of end moraines and outwash remants. Similar dual moraine complexes are found elsewhere in upper Val d'Aosta and indicate that the pattern is regional in character. During the earlier readvance equilibrium-line altitudes were ca. 450 ± 50m lower than at present, whereas during the later readvance they were ca. 350 ± 50 m lower. The moraines, not yet closely dated, were deposited sometime after 14,200 ¹⁴C Years ago by which time Lago'd Alice near the margin of the würm moraine system at Ivrea had been deglaciated, and before 8400 years ago, at which time Rutor Glacier in upper Val d'Aosta was no larger than at present. The younger moraines are believed to correlate with Egesen moraines on the north side of the Alps, whereas the older set may either correlate with an early phase of the Egesen or with Daun advance.