Maximum glacial advance and deglaciation of the Pinar Valley (Sierra de Gredos, Central Spain) and its significance in the Mediterranean context

Pinar Valley is located on the north side of Galana Peak (40° 15′ 21″ N; 5° 18′ 00″ W; 2564 m a.s.l.), Sierra de Gredos, in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. Surface exposure ages based on the in situ accumulation of 36Cl were obtained from six moraine boulders and from three bedrock outcrops to investigate the timing of both the last local glacial maximum and the deglaciation. The oldest moraines, which probably overrode older glacial deposits, are coeval to the global Last Glacial Maximum. Subsequently the Pinar glacier underwent minor pulsations close to its maximum position, followed by general glacier retreat after ~ 17-16 ka. Small cirque glaciers probably remained during the terminal Pleistocene but they had completely disappeared by 10 ka.

► Cosmogenic 36Cl surface exposure dating was carried out on 9 samples. ► Samples were from glacially polished bedrock and moraines. ► Samples were from the Pinar Valley, Sierra de Gredos (Spain). ► The general glacial retreat was in progress after ~ 17-16 ka. ► Small cirque glaciers had completely disappeared by 10 ka.