The Effect of Aspect On Glaciation: A case Study of Eastern Black Sea Mountains (Turkey)

Glaciation directly depends on climate changing that developed and spread during colder temperature period and shrunk during warmer period. However this changing is not uniform everywhere on earth. Beside climate properties several other conditions have effect on glaciation such as; latitude, elevation, aspect, continentality, slope, humidity etc. Especially throughout mid-latitudes the aspect becomes more important effect on development of glaciation. Because of its location Turkey has been influenced by glaciers in Pleistocene era, and many glacial landscapes have been formed throughout the country during this period. The aim of this study is to investigate the glaciated area in the Eastern Black Sea Mountain range using Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies in order to map and evaluate several features associated with glaciers. In addition depend on aspect effect the changes on glaciated area, number and distribution of glacial landscapes on different flanks of Eastern Black Sea Mountain Range is examined. Therefore the effect of aspect on glaciation is tried to be explained. The glacial shapes determined in investigation area show different properties depending on their locations. Generally on northern side the landscapes are more widespread than the southern. 19 of 30 main valleys, 49 of 63 tributary valleys, 820 of 1222 cirques and 431 of 685 glacial lakes are located on northern side of the mountain chain