Rock avalanches on a glacier and morainic complex in Haut Val Ferret (Mont Blanc Massif, Italy)

Deposits in upper Val Ferret (Mont Blanc Massif, Italy) have been attributed to glacier advances and to a rock avalanche of 12 September AD 1717. We review evidence for the timing and mode of emplacement of the deposit, and present a new geomorphic interpretation and relative and absolute dating to show that the AD 1717 deposit is less extensive than previously thought. The landslide was deflected along one side of the valley floor, preserving older slope and morainic sediments along the other side. An earlier rock avalanche onto the Triolet Glacier occurred before AD 1000. The deposits of these landslides partly cover older moraine several kilometres downstream from the present glacier front, and have affected the glacier regimen and construction of its moraines. This study highlights the geomorphic impact of rock avalanches in glacierized high mountains. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.