Rock glaciers of the mountains of Mexico; a review of current knowledge and paleoclimatic implications

• Published in: Journal of South American earth sciences 2019-12, Vol.96, p.102321, Article 102321
• Main Author: Alcalá-Reygosa, Jesús
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 8.2 ka event; Little Ice Age; Rock glaciers; Stratovolcanoes; Trans-Mexican volcanic belt; Younger Dryas
• ISSN: 0895-9811; 1873-0647
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2019.102321

Published information about the rock glaciers on the stratovolcanoes of Mexico is evaluated. Five stratovolcanoes of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Iztaccíhuatl, Nevado de Toluca, Téyotl, La Malinche and Pico de Orizaba) preserve rock glaciers. The prevailing type is talus-derived. The rock glaciers are scattered on various aspects but are at least present on all the northern slopes of all the studied stratovolcanoes. Few details of their morphology and state are available. Furthermore, the data available from morphostratigraphy, tephrochronology and cosmic ray exposure dating provide only minimal chronological context. The existence of pyroclastic layers covering the older generations of rock glaciers precludes direct dating methods. By contrast, it is possible to use cosmic ray exposure dating, lichenometry and Schmidt Hammer exposure dating in the younger generation associated with the Little Ice Age. Temperature decrease associated with the Younger Dryas, the 8.2 ka event and the Little Ice Age is the main climatic variable that controls the formation of rock glaciers in the high mountains of Mexico. •A review of the rock glaciers of Mexico is provided based on published information.•Five stratovolcanoes of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt preserve rock glaciers.•There are few detailed data about the morphology, state and chronology of the rock glaciers of Mexico.•Temperature decrease associated with the Younger Dryas, the 8.2 ka event and the Little Ice Age controlled the formation of rock glaciers.