Emil Marinescu

Abstract: On the southern slope of the Parang, the glacial landforms are represented by ten small cirques developed at the head of the tributaries of the Gilort that are analysed by means of 21 morphometrical variables. Most of the cirques display a prolonged shape (popularly called zănoage). Due to their obsequent character they are well-shaped upstream. The lower step, which develops below a large threshold in most of the cases, displays a greatly inclined slope, while the contour is less obvious because of the periglacial processes. The deepening degree and the declivity of the floor impose the morphographical characteristics of the cirques. From this point of view, we mention the slope cirques within the analysed basin, developed more as surface than as depth and displaying a great slope.

Read full article

Table no 1

Morphometrical variables of a glacial cirque

(after I.S. Evans, N. Cox, 1995; Urdea, P. 2000, 2001 and Smaranda Simoni, 2007)

Symbol Mor

phometrical variable

Measure unit

Calculation mode

Y1

Minimum altitude of the floor

m

measured

Y2

Maximum altitude of the floor

m

measured

Y3

Mean altitude of the floor

m

(Y1+Y2) / 2

Y4

Altitude of the ridge on the median axis

m

measured

Y5

Mean altitude of the cirque

m

(Y1+Y4) / 2

Y6

Maximum altitude of the ridge

m

measured

Y7

Height on the median axis

m

Y4 – Y1

Y8

Maximum dislevelment of the floor

m

Y2 – Y1

Y9

Length on the median axis

m

measured

Y10 M

aximum width

m

measured

Y11

Wall height on the median axis

m

Y4 – Y2

Y12

Elongation coefficient

–

Y10 / Y9

Y13

Rapport length/height on the median axis

–

Y9 / Y11

Y14

Perimeter of the cirque

m

measured

Y15

Surface of the cirque floor sq

km

measured

Y16

Surface of the cirque

sq km

measured

Y17

Relative size

km

1000 x (Y16/Y11)

Y18 C

ircularity index

–

(4 Π x Y16) /

(Y142 x 106)

Y19

Azimuth of the cirque

degrees

measured

Y20

Orientation of the cirque

–

measured

Y21

Mean slope of the cirque

degrees

[arctg (Y11/Y9)] x (180 / Π)

2120209021002200213019702190204019301960

Fig. no 2. Minimum and maximum altitude of the floor of the glacial cirques within the Gilort basin