Dendrogeomorphology; Debris flow; Snow avalanche; The High Tatras Mountains

The High Tatras Mountains are known for frequent occurrences of hazardous geomorphic processes. Many occur at the same localities. This similarity of occurrence is typical of snow avalanches and debris flows, as snow avalanches tend to use debris flow channels. Dendrogeomorphic methods allow for the intraseasonal dating of scars left on stems and branches and hence the distinction of processes. Past scars on four tali in the Great Cold Valley were dated. Together, 189 individuals of Pinus mugo var. mugo with scars were sampled using increment cores and cross sections. The dating was supported by visual analysis of three historical orthophotos. Twenty-seven events since 1959 (17 certain events and 10 probable events), including snow avalanches (19 events) and debris flows (eight events), were dated. Historical archives provided evidence for approximately nine snow avalanches, and four of them were confirmed dendrogeomorphically. Debris flows and snow avalanches identified by spatial distribution of scarred trees in individual years correspond to the extent of events visible on orthophotos.