On the Existence during the Quaternary Period of a Glacier of the Second Order occupying the “Cirque” of the Valley of Palhères, in the western part of the Granitic “Massif” of the Lozère
Authors: Martins M. Charles 
Published: October 2009

Abstract

M. M
artins
refers to the general absence of indications of ancient glacial action in the mountains of central and southern France, and to those circumstances of structure and mineral constitution by which, in some cases, this absence may be accounted for. He describes those features in the conformation of the valley of Palhères, in the Lozère, the representation of which, in the Government Map of France, led him to the conclusion that in this place traces of glacial action might probably be met with. In the gorge in which the village of Palhères is situated, enormous granitic blocks occur; but these are always either in the torrent, or so near it, that the evidence furnished by them is very doubtful. Above Palhères is a vast
“cirque,”
in which the hamlet of Costeilade is situated; and here the ground is sprinkled over with erratic blocks, ascending to a considerable height on the slopes of the mountains. The
right lateral moraine
terminates in a rectilineal crest formed of disintegrated material, but resting on a boss of mica-schist separated from the right counterfort of the valley by a deep ravine. This crest is terminated by a rock of mica-schist, also separated from the right counterfort; and upon this three isolated granitic blocks are perched. A stream of blocks thrown in line on the corresponding counterfort of the valley below the schistose rock shows the extreme termination of the glacier beyond the gorge. As the summits bounding the right side of the valley all consist of mica-schist, these granitic blocks cannot be regarded as having fallen from above. The
left lateral moraine
includes the blocks scattered about the hamlet of Costeilade: some of these project from the ground in cultivated fields; and one, the last, is perched on a promontory of mica-schist, overhangs its pedestal, and resembles in form the head of a geological hammer. This is about 150 metres above the torrent. The peaks and crest about the left moraine are granitic, and considerable masses of rock have fallen from them; but there is an interspace of about 250 metres between the foot of these and the highest blocks of the moraine. The
terminal
moraine is better marked than the lateral ones, and corresponds with the gorge which closes the “
cirque
” of Costeilade. The moraine forms a bar between the left counterfort of the valley and a low, rounded, isolated hill of schist which occupies the line of the water-way and drives the torrent towards the right. This isolated hill is remarkable. Rounded on the upper side, it is produced below into a crest of less elevation than itself, which bears only two small erratic blocks; the hill itself on the contrary bears 32 large granitic blocks, all placed on the upper side, against which the vanished glacier impinged. No polished or striated rocks or scratched pebbles are to be met with; but this is explained by the soft schistose nature of the rock forming the valley, which could neither have scratched the granite fragments, nor have retained any traces of polish or striation on its own surface.