Glacial valley and moraines of Chaguazoso

The glacial valley and moraines of Chaguazoso are on the Central Massif also known as Cabeza de Manzaneda, second largest protected space in Galicia. The Central Massif is an extensive scaled plateau located in the central western area surrounded by the tectonic depressions of Limia and Maceda, and the canyons of rivers Sil and Bibei. It consists of 5 mountain ranges: As Corzas, Invernadoiro, A Queixa, San Mamede and Burgo. The appearance of glacial phenomena in this territory is due to the appearance of paleo-climatic conditions due to the continental effect and pre-existence of large peneplains on the summit of the mountain ranges aided the accumulation of snow. During the glaciations at the end of the Quaternary (Würm), the high area of A Queixa where we are now was occupied by an icecap of up to 1,250 metres and the lowest levels up to 1,000 metres high, where cirque glaciers and ice tongues formed. The icy remains were mainly concentrated on the Southeast and Southeast-East slope due to the dominant North-Northwest winds.
Preserved from this period are numerous traces like icy moraines of Chaguazoso, (accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris) at 1,290 metres high. It is a lateral moraine located on the left-hand side of the River Cenza valley. It is the best preserved in Galicia and consists of large granite blocks where the Chaguazoso houses are.

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