Glacial and periglacial Landscapes in Costa Rica

Abstract

Tropical regions in the Americas retain evidence of past glacial activity, offering insights into historical climate conditions, particularly during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Focusing on Costa Rica's higher summits, especially the Cordillera de Talamanca, this study identifies distinct features such as glacial cirques, polished bedrock, moraine and till deposits, and glacial-origin lakes. These remnants serve as invaluable indicators of past climatic conditions and contribute to understanding the maximum extent of tropical glaciation during the LGM in Costa Rica and broader tropical America. The Cordillera de Talamanca reveals areas significantly influenced by colder climates during the LGM. This research enhances our ability to reconstruct the interplay between climate and landscape evolution, deepening our understanding of the LGM in Costa Rica. The documented evidence forms a comprehensive narrative of the region's paleoclimatic history, providing a foundation for comparative studies in tropical America. This study advances comprehension of tropical glacial landscapes by revealing nuanced features left by ancient glacial processes. The Cordillera de Talamanca emerges as a key repository of valuable information about past climatic conditions. Navigating through the glacial remnants of Costa Rica's higher summits unravels the mysteries of the LGM and its lasting impact on tropical American landscapes.