scholarly journals Towards a palaeoclimatic model of rock-glacier formation in the Swiss Alps

2000 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regula Frauenfelder ◽  
Andreas Kääb
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Late Glacial ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Inventory Analysis ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Polymorphic Type ◽  
Rock Glaciers

AbstractClimate and its long-term variability govern ground thermal conditions, and for this reason represent one of the most important impacts on creeping mountain permafrost. The decoding and better understanding of the present-day morphology and distribution of rock glaciers opens up a variety of insights into past and present environmental, especially climatic, conditions on a local to regional scale. The present study was carried out in the Swiss Alps using two different approaches: (1) kinematic analysis of specific active rock glaciers, and (2) description of the altitudinal distribution of relict rock glaciers. Two theoretical shape concepts of active rock-glacier morphology were derived’ a"monomorphic" type, representing presumably undisturbed, continuous development over several millennia and a ˚polymorphic" type, reflecting a system of (possibly climatically affected) individual creep streams several centuries old. The topoclimatic-based inventory analysis indicated an average temperature increase at relict rock-glacier fronts of approximately +2°C since the time of their decay, which is a sign of rock-glacier ages reaching back to the Alpine Late Glacial. The temperature difference of some tenths of a degree Celsius found for active/inactive rock glaciers is typical for the bandwidth of Holocene climate variations. These results confirm the importance of Alpine rock glaciers as highly sensitive indicators of past temperature evolution.

scholarly journals Short-term velocity variations at three rock glaciers and their relationship with meteorological conditions

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Wirz ◽  
S. Gruber ◽  
R. S. Purves ◽  
J. Beutel ◽  
I. Gärtner-Roer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Rock Glaciers ◽  
Velocity Variations

Abstract. In recent years, strong variations in the speed of rock glaciers have been detected, raising questions about their stability under changing climatic conditions. In this study, we present continuous time series of surface velocities over 3 years of six GPS stations located on three rock glaciers in Switzerland. Intra-annual velocity variations are analysed in relation to local meteorological factors, such as precipitation, snow(melt), and air and ground surface temperatures. The main focus of this study lies on the abrupt velocity peaks, which have been detected at two steep and fast-moving rock glacier tongues ( ≥  5 m a−1), and relationships to external meteorological forcing are statistically tested.The continuous measurements with high temporal resolution allowed us to detect short-term velocity peaks, which occur outside cold winter conditions, at these two rock glacier tongues. Our measurements further revealed that all rock glaciers experience clear intra-annual variations in movement in which the timing and the amplitude is reasonably similar in individual years. The seasonal decrease in velocity was typically smooth, starting 1–3 months after the seasonal decrease in temperatures, and was stronger in years with colder temperatures in mid winter. Seasonal acceleration was mostly abrupt and rapid compared to the winter deceleration, always starting during the zero curtain period. We found a statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of short-term velocity peaks and water input from heavy precipitation or snowmelt, while no velocity peak could be attributed solely to high temperatures. The findings of this study further suggest that, in addition to the short-term velocity peaks, the seasonal acceleration is also influenced by water infiltration, causing thermal advection and an increase in pore water pressure. In contrast, the amount of deceleration in winter seems to be mainly controlled by winter temperatures.

scholarly journals Evaluating the destabilization susceptibility of active rock glaciers in the French Alps

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Marcer ◽  
Charlie Serrano ◽  
Alexander Brenning ◽  
Xavier Bodin ◽  
Jason Goetz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Deformation ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Susceptibility Map ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
French Alps ◽  
Terrain Attributes ◽  
Rock Glaciers ◽  
Steep Terrain ◽  
Geomorphological Features

Abstract. In this study, we propose a methodology to estimate the spatial distribution of destabilizing rock glaciers, with a focus on the French Alps. We mapped geomorphological features that can be typically found in cases of rock glacier destabilization (e.g. crevasses and scarps) using orthoimages taken from 2000 to 2013. A destabilization rating was assigned by taking into account the evolution of these mapped destabilization geomorphological features and by observing the surface deformation patterns of the rock glacier, also using the available orthoimages. This destabilization rating then served as input to model the occurrence of rock glacier destabilization in relation to terrain attributes and to spatially predict the susceptibility to destabilization at a regional scale. Significant evidence of destabilization could be observed in 46 rock glaciers, i.e. 10 % of the total active rock glaciers in the region. Based on our susceptibility model of destabilization occurrence, it was found that this phenomenon is more likely to occur in elevations around the 0 ∘C isotherm (2700–2900 m a.s.l.), on north-facing slopes, steep terrain (25 to 30∘) and flat to slightly convex topographies. Model performance was good (AUROC = 0.76), and the susceptibility map also performed well at reproducing observable patterns of destabilization. About 3 km2 of creeping permafrost, or 10 % of the surface occupied by active rock glaciers, had a high susceptibility to destabilization. Considering we observed that only half of these areas of creep are currently showing destabilization evidence, we suspect there is a high potential for future rock glacier destabilization within the French Alps.

On the Development of Transverse Ridges on Rock Glaciers

1989 ◽  
Vol 35 (121) ◽  
pp. 383-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah S. Loewenherz ◽  
Christopher J. Lawrence ◽  
Richard L. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Stability Analysis ◽  
Newtonian Fluid ◽  
Lower Layer ◽  
Elastic Solid ◽  
Surface Region ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Rock Glaciers ◽  
The Stability

AbstractThe stability of a low Reynolds number flow on an inclined plane is investigated with respect to modelling the initiation of transverse wave-like ridges which commonly occur on the surfaces of rock-glacier forms. In accordance with field observations indicating the presence of stratification in rock glaciers, two models of rock-glacier structure are considered, each stratified and possessing a lower layer which is treated as a Newtonian fluid. An upper, less compliant layer is treated, alternatively, as a Newtonian fluid of viscosity greater than that of the lower layer, or as an elastic solid under longitudinal compression induced by a decrease in the slope of the underlying incline. A linear stability analysis is used to examine the behaviour of each of the proposed models, and both are found to generate instabilities at wavelengths comparable to those associated with transverse surficial ridges on rock glaciers. The growth rates of a flow disturbance predicted by the viscous-stratified model appear to be too slow to account fully for the development of wave forms of finite amplitude, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved in the amplification of an initial disturbance. The results of the stability analysis of the elastic lamina model indicate that finite surficial ridges may develop on rock glaciers as a product of a buckling instability in the surface region if there is a decrease in the slope of the underlying incline. Both of the analyses illustrate that transverse ridges can occur on the surface of a rock glacier in the absence of any variations in debris supply to the system. The results further imply that the use of these features in the paleoreconstruction of Holocene climatic conditions must entail an assessment of the relative roles of external climatically driven forcingversusinternal Theologically derived instability.

scholarly journals A new model for quantifying subsurface ice content based on geophysical data sets

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 787-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hauck ◽  
M. Böttcher ◽  
H. Maurer
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Geophysical Data ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Unfrozen Water ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Heterogeneous Distribution ◽  
Rock Glaciers

Abstract. Detailed knowledge of the material properties and internal structures of frozen ground is one of the prerequisites in many permafrost studies. In the absence of direct evidence, such as in-situ borehole measurements, geophysical methods are an increasingly interesting option for obtaining subsurface information on various spatial and temporal scales. The indirect nature of geophysical soundings requires a relation between the measured variables (e.g. electrical resistivity, seismic velocity) and the actual subsurface constituents (rock, water, air, ice). In this work we present a model, which provides estimates of the volumetric fractions of these four phases from tomographic electrical and seismic images. The model is tested using geophysical data sets from two rock glaciers in the Swiss Alps, where ground truth information in form of borehole data is available. First results confirm the applicability of the so-called 4-phase model, which allows to quantify the contributions of ice-, water- and air within permafrost areas as well as detecting the firm bedrock. Apart from a similarly thick active layer with enhanced air content for both rock glaciers, the two case studies revealed a heterogeneous distribution of ice and unfrozen water within rock glacier Muragl, where bedrock was detected at depths of 20–25 m, but a comparatively homogeneous ice body with only minor heterogeneities within rock glacier Murtèl.

On the Development of Transverse Ridges on Rock Glaciers

1989 ◽  
Vol 35 (121) ◽  
pp. 383-391
Author(s):  
Deborah S. Loewenherz ◽  
Christopher J. Lawrence ◽  
Richard L. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Stability Analysis ◽  
Newtonian Fluid ◽  
Lower Layer ◽  
Elastic Solid ◽  
Surface Region ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Rock Glaciers ◽  
The Stability

AbstractThe stability of a low Reynolds number flow on an inclined plane is investigated with respect to modelling the initiation of transverse wave-like ridges which commonly occur on the surfaces of rock-glacier forms. In accordance with field observations indicating the presence of stratification in rock glaciers, two models of rock-glacier structure are considered, each stratified and possessing a lower layer which is treated as a Newtonian fluid. An upper, less compliant layer is treated, alternatively, as a Newtonian fluid of viscosity greater than that of the lower layer, or as an elastic solid under longitudinal compression induced by a decrease in the slope of the underlying incline. A linear stability analysis is used to examine the behaviour of each of the proposed models, and both are found to generate instabilities at wavelengths comparable to those associated with transverse surficial ridges on rock glaciers. The growth rates of a flow disturbance predicted by the viscous-stratified model appear to be too slow to account fully for the development of wave forms of finite amplitude, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved in the amplification of an initial disturbance. The results of the stability analysis of the elastic lamina model indicate that finite surficial ridges may develop on rock glaciers as a product of a buckling instability in the surface region if there is a decrease in the slope of the underlying incline. Both of the analyses illustrate that transverse ridges can occur on the surface of a rock glacier in the absence of any variations in debris supply to the system. The results further imply that the use of these features in the paleoreconstruction of Holocene climatic conditions must entail an assessment of the relative roles of external climatically driven forcing versus internal Theologically derived instability.

scholarly journals Permafrost distribution modelling in the semi-arid Chilean Andes

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 877-890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo F. Azócar ◽  
Alexander Brenning ◽  
Xavier Bodin
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Mountain Permafrost ◽  
Rock Glaciers ◽  
Temperature Records ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. Mountain permafrost and rock glaciers in the dry Andes are of growing interest due to the increase in mining industry and infrastructure development in this remote area. Empirical models of mountain permafrost distribution based on rock glacier activity status and temperature data have been established as a tool for regional-scale assessments of its distribution; this kind of model approach has never been applied for a large portion of the Andes. In the present study, this methodology is applied to map permafrost favourability throughout the semi-arid Andes of central Chile (29–32° S), excluding areas of exposed bedrock. After spatially modelling of the mean annual air temperature distribution from scarce temperature records (116 station years) using a linear mixed-effects model, a generalized additive model was built to model the activity status of 3524 rock glaciers. A permafrost favourability index (PFI) was obtained by adjusting model predictions for conceptual differences between permafrost and rock glacier distribution. The results indicate that the model has an acceptable performance (median AUROC: 0.76). Conditions highly favourable to permafrost presence (PFI  ≥  0.75) are predicted for 1051 km2 of mountain terrain, or 2.7 % of the total area of the watersheds studied. Favourable conditions are expected to occur in 2636 km2, or 6.8 % of the area. Substantial portions of the Elqui and Huasco watersheds are considered to be favourable for permafrost presence (11.8 % each), while in the Limarí and Choapa watersheds permafrost is expected to be mostly limited to specific sub-watersheds. In the future, local ground-truth observations will be required to confirm permafrost presence in favourable areas and to monitor permafrost evolution under the influence of climate change.

scholarly journals A two-sided approach to estimate heat transfer processes within the active layer of the Murtèl–Corvatsch rock glacier

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Scherler ◽  
S. Schneider ◽  
M. Hoelzle ◽  
C. Hauck
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Surface Layer ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Heat Sink ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Transfer Processes ◽  
Rock Glaciers

Abstract. The thermal regime of permafrost on scree slopes and rock glaciers is characterized by the importance of air flow driven convective and advective heat transfer processes. These processes are supposed to be part of the energy balance in the active layer of rock glaciers leading to lower subsurface temperatures than would be expected at the lower limit of discontinuous high mountain permafrost. In this study, new parametrizations were introduced in a numerical soil model (the Coup Model) to simulate permafrost temperatures observed in a borehole at the Murtèl rock glacier in the Swiss Alps in the period from 1997 to 2008. A soil heat sink and source layer was implemented within the active layer, which was parametrized experimentally to account for and quantify the contribution of air flow driven heat transfer on the measured permafrost temperatures. The experimental model calibration process yielded a value of about 28.9 Wm−2 for the heat sink during the period from mid September to mid January and one of 26 Wm−2 for the heat source in the period from June to mid September. Energy balance measurements, integrated over a 3.5 m-thick blocky surface layer, showed seasonal deviations between a zero energy balance and the calculated sum of the energy balance components of around 5.5 Wm−2 in fall/winter, −0.9 Wm−2 in winter/spring and around −9.4 Wm−2 in summer. The calculations integrate heat exchange processes including thermal radiation between adjacent blocks, turbulent heat flux and energy storage change in the blocky surface layer. Finally, it is hypothesized that these deviations approximately equal unmeasured freezing and thawing processes within the blocky surface layer.

scholarly journals Rock glaciers on the run – understanding rock glacier landform evolution and recent changes from numerical flow modeling

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 2865-2886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Müller ◽  
Andreas Vieli ◽  
Isabelle Gärtner-Roer
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Dynamical Response ◽  
Dynamics Modeling ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Rock Glaciers ◽  
Numerical Flow Modeling ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Rock glaciers are landforms that form as a result of creeping mountain permafrost which have received considerable attention concerning their dynamical and thermal changes. Observed changes in rock glacier motion on seasonal to decadal timescales have been linked to ground temperature variations and related changes in landform geometries interpreted as signs of degradation due to climate warming. Despite the extensive kinematic and thermal monitoring of these creeping permafrost landforms, our understanding of the controlling factors remains limited and lacks robust quantitative models of rock glacier evolution in relation to their environmental setting. Here, we use a holistic approach to analyze the current and long-term dynamical development of two rock glaciers in the Swiss Alps. Site-specific sedimentation and ice generation rates are linked with an adapted numerical flow model for rock glaciers that couples the process chain from material deposition to rock glacier flow in order to reproduce observed rock glacier geometries and their general dynamics. Modeling experiments exploring the impact of variations in rock glacier temperature and sediment–ice supply show that these forcing processes are not sufficient to explain the currently observed short-term geometrical changes derived from multitemporal digital terrain models at the two different rock glaciers. The modeling also shows that rock glacier thickness is dominantly controlled by slope and rheology while the advance rates are mostly constrained by rates of sediment–ice supply. Furthermore, timescales of dynamical adjustment are found to be strongly linked to creep velocity. Overall, we provide a useful modeling framework for a better understanding of the dynamical response and morphological changes of rock glaciers to changes in external forcing.

scholarly journals An Unsupervised Method to Detect Rock Glacier Activity by Using Sentinel-1 SAR Interferometric Coherence: A Regional-Scale Study in the Eastern European Alps

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo Bertone ◽  
Francesco Zucca ◽  
Carlo Marin ◽  
Claudia Notarnicola ◽  
Giovanni Cuozzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Independent Set ◽  
Unsupervised Classification ◽  
Mountainous Area ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Subjective Analysis ◽  
Regular Kernel ◽  
Rock Glaciers

Rock glaciers are widespread periglacial landforms in mountain regions like the European Alps. Depending on their ice content, they are characterized by slow downslope displacement due to permafrost creep. These landforms are usually mapped within inventories, but understand their activity is a very difficult task, which is frequently accomplished using geomorphological field evidences, direct measurements, or remote sensing approaches. In this work, a powerful method to analyze the rock glaciers’ activity was developed exploiting the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data. In detail, the interferometric coherence estimated from Sentinel-1 data was used as key indicator of displacement, developing an unsupervised classification method to distinguish moving (i.e., characterized by detectable displacement) from no-moving (i.e., without detectable displacement) rock glaciers. The original application of interferometric coherence, estimated here using the rock glacier outlines as boundaries instead of regular kernel windows, allows describing the activity of rock glaciers at a regional-scale. The method was developed and tested over a large mountainous area located in the Eastern European Alps (South Tyrol and western part of Trentino, Italy) and takes into account all the factors that may limit the effectiveness of the coherence in describing the rock glaciers’ activity. The activity status of more than 1600 rock glaciers was classified by our method, identifying more than 290 rock glaciers as moving. The method was validated using an independent set of rock glaciers whose activity is well-known, obtaining an accuracy of 88%. Our method is replicable over any large mountainous area where rock glaciers are already mapped and makes it possible to compensate for the drawbacks of time-consuming and subjective analysis based on geomorphological evidences or other SAR approaches.

scholarly journals Evidence for rapid paraglacial formation of rock glaciers in southern Norway from 10Be surface-exposure dating

2020 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 55-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriette Linge ◽  
Atle Nesje ◽  
John A. Matthews ◽  
Derek Fabel ◽  
Sheng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Rock Glacier ◽  
Surface Exposure Dating ◽  
Exposure Dating ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Rock Glaciers ◽  
Valley Site ◽  
Southern Norway ◽  
Exposure Ages

AbstractWe evaluate the timing and environmental controls on past rock-glacier activity at Øyberget, upper Ottadalen, southern Norway, using in situ 10Be surface-exposure dating on (1) boulders belonging to relict rock-glacier lobes at c. 530 m asl, (2) bedrock and boulder surfaces at the Øyberget summit (c. 1200 m asl), and (3) bedrock at an up-valley site (c. 615 m asl). We find that the rock-glacier lobes became inactive around 11.1 ± 1.2 ka, coeval with the timing of summit deglaciation (11.2 ± 0.7 ka). This is slightly older than previously published Schmidt-hammer surface-exposure ages. The timing does not match known climatic conditions promoting rock-glacier formation in the early Holocene; hence we infer that lobe formation resulted from enhanced debris supply and burial of residual ice during and soon after deglaciation. The results demonstrate that rock glaciers may form over a relatively short period of time (hundreds rather than thousands of years) under non-permafrost conditions and possibly indicate a paraglacial type of process.

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