Evolving landscapes: the role of postglacial cryoplanation dynamics in the landscape of the Fuegian Andes

This study investigates the cryoplanation terraces in the Fuegian Andes, Tierra del Fuego (Argentina), exploring their morphological characteristics, genesis, and environmental significance. Located above 700 m asl, these terraces are identified as active geomorphological landforms within the present-day periglacial domain defined by frequent freeze–thaw cycles and persistent snow cover. Through comprehensive fieldwork, soil temperature monitoring, and snow cover analysis, this research reveals that these terraces are not inherited from past conditions but are developing under current climate conditions. The study elucidates the interaction between the terrace’s development and the permafrost conditions, showing evidence that surface freeze–thaw cycles and seasonal snow cover play a key role in its development. Additionally, the research discusses the implications of these findings for understanding paleoclimatic conditions in Tierra del Fuego. By integrating geomorphological analysis with climatic data, this study aims to contribute to a broader understanding of periglacial landscape dynamics and their climatic drivers in the extreme southern fringe of the Andes.