The southeastern European Alps represent the spot where mean annual precipitation is at its highest in
the entire Alpine chain. Accordingly, the glacial evolution here might have a different spatial and
chronological pattern if compared with other alpine areas. This paper discusses geomorphological evidence
of three glacial stages from the Krnica Valley in the Julian Alps of Slovenia, and is the first step
towards a comprehensive palaeoglaciological studies in this alpine sector. Very well-preserved glacial
landforms in the Upper Krnica Valley allowed the reconstruction of glacier surface topographies and
corresponding equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) by means of field-based geomorphological and sedimentological
data and by using geospatial analysis. The uppermost frontal moraines belong to the Little
Ice Age (LIA) and the corresponding ELA is estimated at 1973 m a.s.l. Other two stages with the ELA
depressed by 50 m and 161 m compared to the LIA ELA, suggest early Holocene and Younger Dryas ages
of the palaeoglaciers, respectively. This assumption ensues from absolute age datings and related ELA
depressions observed elsewhere in the European Alps. The presence of buried ice under the debris in the
Krnica cirque, imaged through geophysical investigations, point to peculiar microclimatic conditions able
to preserve relict glacier ice. This is favoured by the recursive presence of snow on the ground caused by
the extreme summer shading and the significant winter snow-recharge triggered by snowblow and
avalanche feeding. The possible evolution of such relict ice under the ongoing climate warming is also
discussed.
