Tree Rings, Glacial Advance, And Climate in The Alps

TitleTree Rings, Glacial Advance, And Climate in The Alps
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1971
AuthorsLaMarche, VC, Fritts, H
JournalZeitschrift fur Gletscherkunde und Glazialgeologie
VolumeVII
Keywordsalps, austria, climatology, environment, glacial advance, glaciers, Switzerland, tree ring
Abstract

Ring-width variations in stone pine near upper treeline in the Alps show a high negative correlation with the percentage of advancing glaciers in Austria and Switzerland. The relationship is due to the similarity of climatic models for tree growth and the glacial mass budget. Tree-ring fluctuations during the period 1800-1889, prior to the compilation of glacial statistics show good agreement with historical glacial advances and periods of low summer temperatures, especially around 1820-1855. Tree-ring studies could assist in reconstructing the glacial and climatic history of the Alps, possibly for a period of 1,000 years or more.

Notes

Copies of this are available through the Tree Ring Laboratory; please contact the lab for more information.