Assessment and Selection of Geomorphosites and Trails in the Miage Glacier Area (Western Italian Alps)

• DOI: 10.1007/s00267-012-9995-2
• Publication Date: 2012-12-29T07:21:12Z
• Authors: Irene Bollati; Claudio Smiraglia; Manuela Pelfini
• Keywords: glacial geomorphosites; touristic trails; educational application; Miage Glacier Italian Alps; Ice Cover; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; Environmental Monitoring; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Glacial environments are considered geomorphosites because they exhibit all of the features that characterise sites of geomorphological interest. The Miage Glacier, in particular, is the most important debris-covered glacier of the Italian Alps, and it has been extensively studied since the 18th century because of its scientific features. In this area, the geomorphological and geological attributes are evaluated at 11 sites that have been individuated along the three main touristic trails, which allow an exploration of the surroundings of the glacial tongue and its two main lobes. Using a methodology previously tested in a fluvial environment, single sites and trails are quantitatively assessed to determine the most suitable trail for educational purposes. Hazards that could potentially affect the trails are considered in terms of both risk education and final selection of the most suitable trails for the various possible user groups. The richness of scientific data in this area should increase its importance as a geomorphosite by increasing the educational value of the Miage Glacier and the Veny Valley.