Trimlines are erosional features which mark the maximum vertical extent of a past glaciation [1].
Different types of trimlines exist, dependent on the length of time since the last glacial advance [2]. In recently glaciated valleys, they are marked by a distinct change in vegetation. Above the trimline, dense vegetation exists with species characteristic of the region[2,3]. And below the trimline, valley sides are characteristic of bare, ice-scoured rock, or with early stages of vegetational development [2,3]. These are termed ‘Vegetational Trimlines‘, and are commonly associated with glacial activity since the Little Ice Age, within the historical era [2,3].
For older glaciations, occurring prior to the Little Ice Age, the vegetation change may be less distinctive as vegetation succession has occurred [2,4]. Therefore, these trimlines mark the boundary between the smooth, ice-scoured bedrock below the trimline, and the frost-shattered regolith from periglacial weathering above [3]. These can be termed ‘Peri-glacial Trimlines’ [2,3,5].
What are Trimlines Used For?
Unlike other glacial landforms which show the lateral extent, or behaviour of a past glaciations, trimlines mark the maximum vertical extent of the ice surface [3,4]. This enables the production of 3-D model reconstructions of ice sheets and valley glaciers[4,6].
In currently occupied glacial regions, trimlines can be compared to the modern ice surface elevation to assess the role of ice surface thinning, and responses to climate change [7].