The remains of rock glaciers in Bottelnek, East Cape Drakensberg, South Africa

Abstract

Certain debris accumulations in Bottelnek are ascribed a rock glacier origin on the basis of morphological and sedimentological evidence. Radiocarbon dating indicates that rock glaciers were active at or subsequent to 21 000 BP and that cold, stadial conditions, existed on the region after 27 000 BP and before 13 000 BP, during the Bottelnek Stadial. At least sporadic permafrost existed in Bottelnek when the rock glaciers were active.