Research advances on climate-induced slope instability in glacier and permafrost high-mountain environments

Abstract. High-mountain areas with glacier and permafrost occurrence are temperature sensitive environments. Climatic changes are, thus, likely to have an effect on slope stability. Several recent events have shown that rock and ice avalanches and related hazards can have severe consequences. For hazard analysis, the processes of slope failure and flow dynamics should therefore be better understood. In this article, recent advances in this field are presented, including high-resolution topographic monitoring of a large Alpine high-mountain flank (Monte Rosa) over the past 50 years and laboratory experiments with rotating drums and numerical modelling. This recent research has revealed important insight into the causes and dynamics of slope instabilities and contributes towards a better understanding of the influence of ice on avalanche dynamics and runout. It is emphasized that high-mountain slope failures need to be viewed from an interdisciplinary perspective, taking a number of process interactions into account.

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On the influence of topographic, geological and cryospheric factors on rock avalanches and rockfalls in high-mountain areas

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-12-241-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 241-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

L. Fischer ◽

R. S. Purves ◽

C. Huggel ◽

J. Noetzli ◽

W. Haeberli

Keyword(s):

Slope Failure ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

High Mountain ◽

European Alps ◽

Permafrost Degradation ◽

Slope Failures ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Investigation Area ◽

Rock Avalanches ◽

Slope Instabilities

Abstract. The ongoing debate about the effects of changes in the high-mountain cryosphere on rockfalls and rock avalanches suggests a need for more knowledge about characteristics and distribution of recent rock-slope instabilities. This paper investigates 56 sites with slope failures between 1900 and 2007 in the central European Alps with respect to their geological and topographical settings and zones of possible permafrost degradation and glacial recession. Analyses of the temporal distribution show an increase in frequency within the last decades. A large proportion of the slope failures (60%) originated from a relatively small area above 3000 m a.s.l. (i.e. 10% of the entire investigation area). This increased proportion of detachment zones above 3000 m a.s.l. is postulated to be a result of a combination of factors, namely a larger proportion of high slope angles, high periglacial weathering due to recent glacier retreat (almost half of the slope failures having occurred in areas with recent deglaciation), and widespread permafrost occurrence. The lithological setting appears to influence volume rather than frequency of a slope failure. However, our analyses show that not only the changes in cryosphere, but also other factors which remain constant over long periods play an important role in slope failures.

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Intensified paraglacial slope failures due to accelerating downwasting of a temperate glacier in Mt. Gongga, southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Earth Surface Dynamics ◽

10.5194/esurf-10-23-2022 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 23-42

Author(s):

Yan Zhong ◽

Qiao Liu ◽

Matthew Westoby ◽

Yong Nie ◽

Francesca Pellicciotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Slope Failure ◽

Geological Structure ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Slope Instability ◽

High Mountain ◽

Seasonal Temperature ◽

Lateral Moraine ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Mountain Glacier

Abstract. Topographic development via paraglacial slope failure (PSF) represents a complex interplay between geological structure, climate, and glacial denudation. Southeastern Tibet has experienced amongst the highest rates of ice mass loss in High Mountain Asia in recent decades, but few studies have focused on the implications of this mass loss on the stability of paraglacial slopes. We used repeat satellite- and unpiloted aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived imagery between 1990 and 2020 as the basis for mapping PSFs from slopes adjacent to Hailuogou Glacier (HLG), a 5 km long monsoon temperate valley glacier in the Mt. Gongga region. We observed recent lowering of the glacier tongue surface at rates of up to 0.88 m a−1 in the period 2000 to 2016, whilst overall paraglacial bare ground area (PBGA) on glacier-adjacent slopes increased from 0.31 ± 0.27 km2 in 1990 to 1.38 ± 0.06 km2 in 2020. Decadal PBGA expansion rates were ∼ 0.01 km2 a−1, 0.02 km2 a−1, and 0.08 km2 in the periods 1990–2000, 2000–2011, and 2011–2020 respectively, indicating an increasing rate of expansion of PBGA. Three types of PSFs, including rockfalls, sediment-mantled slope slides, and headward gully erosion, were mapped, with a total area of 0.75 ± 0.03 km2 in 2020. South-facing valley slopes (true left of the glacier) exhibited more destabilization (56 % of the total PSF area) than north-facing (true right) valley slopes (44 % of the total PSF area). Deformation of sediment-mantled moraine slopes (mean 1.65–2.63 ± 0.04 cm d−1) and an increase in erosion activity in ice-marginal tributary valleys caused by a drop in local base level (gully headward erosion rates are 0.76–3.39 cm d−1) have occurred in tandem with recent glacier downwasting. We also observe deformation of glacier ice, possibly driven by destabilization of lateral moraine, as has been reported in other deglaciating mountain glacier catchments. The formation, evolution, and future trajectory of PSFs at HLG (as well as other monsoon-dominated deglaciating mountain areas) are related to glacial history, including recent rapid downwasting leading to the exposure of steep, unstable bedrock and moraine slopes, and climatic conditions that promote slope instability, such as very high seasonal precipitation and seasonal temperature fluctuations that are conducive to freeze–thaw and ice segregation processes.

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Formation Patterns of Mediterranean High-Mountain Water-Bodies in Sierra-Nevada, SE Spain

Water ◽

10.3390/w13040438 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 438

Author(s):

Jose Luis Diaz-Hernandez ◽

Antonio Jose Herrera-Martinez

Keyword(s):

Sierra Nevada ◽

Unknown Origin ◽

Slope Instability ◽

Water Bodies ◽

High Mountain ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Glacial Processes ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Water Volumes

At present, there is a lack of detailed understanding on how the factors converging on water variables from mountain areas modify the quantity and quality of their watercourses, which are features determining these areas’ hydrological contribution to downstream regions. In order to remedy this situation to some extent, we studied the water-bodies of the western sector of the Sierra Nevada massif (Spain). Since thaw is a necessary but not sufficient contributor to the formation of these fragile water-bodies, we carried out field visits to identify their number, size and spatial distribution as well as their different modelling processes. The best-defined water-bodies were the result of glacial processes, such as overdeepening and moraine dams. These water-bodies are the highest in the massif (2918 m mean altitude), the largest and the deepest, making up 72% of the total. Another group is formed by hillside instability phenomena, which are very dynamic and are related to a variety of processes. The resulting water-bodies are irregular and located at lower altitudes (2842 m mean altitude), representing 25% of the total. The third group is the smallest (3%), with one subgroup formed by anthropic causes and another formed from unknown origin. It has recently been found that the Mediterranean and Atlantic watersheds of this massif are somewhat paradoxical in behaviour, since, despite its higher xericity, the Mediterranean watershed generally has higher water contents than the Atlantic. The overall cause of these discrepancies between watersheds is not connected to their formation processes. However, we found that the classification of water volumes by the manners of formation of their water-bodies is not coherent with the associated green fringes because of the anomalous behaviour of the water-bodies formed by moraine dams. This discrepancy is largely due to the passive role of the water retained in this type of water-body as it depends on the characteristics of its hollows. The water-bodies of Sierra Nevada close to the peak line (2918 m mean altitude) are therefore highly dependent on the glacial processes that created the hollows in which they are located. Slope instability created water-bodies mainly located at lower altitudes (2842 m mean altitude), representing tectonic weak zones or accumulation of debris, which are influenced by intense slope dynamics. These water-bodies are therefore more fragile, and their existence is probably more short-lived than that of bodies created under glacial conditions.

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Slope Instabilities in High-Mountain Rock Walls. Recent Events on the Monte Rosa East Face (Macugnaga, NW Italy)

Landslide Science and Practice ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-31310-3_44 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 327-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrea Tamburini ◽

Fabio Villa ◽

Luzia Fischer ◽

Oldrich Hungr ◽

Marta Chiarle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Mountain ◽

Slope Instabilities ◽

Nw Italy ◽

Monte Rosa ◽

Mountain Rock

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The role of repeat photography in establishing theories of transition in high mountain environments

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-7070 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea Fischer

Keyword(s):

Cultural Practices ◽

Contemporary Literature ◽

Time Lapse ◽

High Mountain ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Scientific Discussion ◽

Mountain Environments ◽

The 19Th Century ◽

Theories Of Transition

Today, photos play an important role in geoscience and public discussion. When photographical techniques developed during the second half of the 19th century, it took several decades uuntil high mountain areas and specific features could be captured with this technique, as a follow upt o traditional paintings and drawings. In European geography, Friedrich Simony developed the idea of tackling geomorphological processes by time lapse photography. Contemporary literature shows that his technique of combining photography with empirical data and theories was convincing, and that he established a new style of scientific discussion. Still, the comparison of historical with contemporary photography offers scientific insights and information which is not covered by any other type of empirical evidence as measurements, maps or descriptions. For example not only extent, but also firn and debris cover of glaciers, information on type and extent of vegetation,&#160; the width and style of roads, details of infrastructure and cultural practices can be tackled from early photographs.&#160; Several archives do allow not only acess to photographic documents, but also to metadata. Interdisciplinary effort has to be taken to further analyse this wealth of information.

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Impacts of Glacier-Related Landslides on the Settlement at Hopar, Karakoram Himalaya

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.1017/s0260305500007862 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 185-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

K.I. MacDonald

Keyword(s):

Social Change ◽

Slope Instability ◽

High Mountain ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Northern Pakistan ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Ice Surface ◽

Wage Labour ◽

Irrigation Channels

Slope instability and occasional devastating landslides are well-known hazards in high mountain areas. This paper describes and discusses an example of extensive and recurring damage associated with agricultural settlements around the lower reaches of the rapidly flowing Bualtar and Barpu Glaciers in northern Pakistan. These landslides occur over a zone about 20 km long in response to erosive processes at the ice-slope interface, and slowly descend 150–300 m from the edges of cultivation to the glacier margins. Damage is evident in the loss and/or abandonment of approximately 10 km2 of land, and in the destruction of dwellings and irrigation channels. The daily routine of local villagers is affected because alterations of both the slope and the ice surface destroy frequently used transport routes. Although the landslides have a history decades long, the landslide problem has more recently assumed heightened significance in relation to rapidly occurring economic and social change such as the introduction of wage labour and seasonal outmigration.

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G.I.S. technologies for data collection, management and visualization of large slope instabilities: two applications in the Western Italian Alps

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-4-197-2004 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 197-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

M. Giardino ◽

D. Giordan ◽

S. Ambrogio

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Data Collection ◽

Single Case ◽

Regional Distribution ◽

Slope Instability ◽

Geographical Information ◽

Local Analysis ◽

Italian Alps ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Slope Instabilities

Abstract. Large slope instabilities are gravitational phenomena whose main characteristics are the multi-km2 area extension and the complex geometrical, geomorphological and geomechanical settings. Several studies outlined their importance in spatial and temporal occurrence of natural hazards on wide mountain areas and their possible interaction in human activities. For the study of large slope instability and deep seated slope gravitational deformations in the Susa and Aosta Valleys (Western Italian Alps) a complete multiscale program (spatial and temporal) analysis has been performed, giving contributions to the reconstruction and settings of their possible evolution. A complex geodatabase has been created, including thematic elements from field-data collection (geomorphology, hydrology, lithology, structural geology) and instability events analysis from data archives and remote sensing images. To facilitate the management of a large amount of collected data a G.I.S. (Geographical Information System) has been developed, including two main levels of information: local and regional. Local information is mainly devoted to detailed geothematic mapping of single instability phenomena. Clot Brun case study is presented, where original and derived landslide features have been elaborated through arithmetical and statistical operations, in order to identify different instability zones and to assess displacements and state of activity through-time. Regional information collected for a landslide inventory of Aosta Valley (IFFI project) summarizes historical and remote sensing data, combined with metadata from local analysis, in order to assess spatial and temporal hazards. To avoid problems of data accuracy (quality and positioning) due to different source archives, a semi-automatic system for selection and validation of data has been created, based on their spatial characteristics (buffer analysis and control). G.I.S. technologies have been used to archive, manage and visualize collected data through 2-D and 3-D models of single case studies and regional distribution of large slope instabilities.

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Evolution of recently deglaciated high mountain landforms in the Eastern Anatolia

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-7086 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Roberto Sergio Azzoni ◽

Irene Bollati ◽

Manuela Pelfini ◽

Mehmet Akif Sarıkaya ◽

Andrea Zerboni

Keyword(s):

Ice Age ◽

High Mountain ◽

Mountain Range ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Surface Evolution ◽

Mountain Environments ◽

Low Latitudes ◽

Limestone Bedrock ◽

The Alps ◽

Geomorphological Evolution

High mountain environments and especially proglacial systems, which are areas defined by subtracting modern glacier outlines from Little Ice Age (LIA) limits, are among the most dynamic geomorphic contexts on Earth. They are extremely sensitive to ongoing climate change and its consequences are especially intense &#8211; yet relatively poorly investigated &#8211; at middle-low latitudes, as in the case of the circum-Mediterranean mountainous contexts. This area (excluding the Alps) encompasses recently deglaciated ground from the borders of the Mediterranean Sea and comprises more than hundred ice bodies dramatically receding since their LIA extension. Most of these glaciers are completely disappeared leaving extensive proglacial areas, which differs from those described in the Alps for the timing and types of ongoing processes. Here, we present and discuss the unique characteristics of such dynamic proglacial contexts, focusing on recently deglaciated high mountain areas of Southeast Turkey that are affected by fast geomorphological evolution tuned by their specific climatic and geological settings. We compare two areas differing for climatic, structural, and lithological settings: i) the Mount Ararat/A&#287;r&#305; Da&#287;&#305; (5137 m a.s.l.), a stratovolcano, and ii) the Cilo mountain range (up to 4116 m a.s.l.), characterized by a limestone bedrock. Since the LIA, the two areas underwent different trajectories of evolution and different rates of geomorphic processes. High-resolution satellite data from Pleiades and SPOT 6 platforms permit to investigate the overprint of specific local factors (volcanism, tectonic, and topography) on climate-driven surface evolution explains the specific evolution of each proglacial area.

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Impacts of Glacier-Related Landslides on the Settlement at Hopar, Karakoram Himalaya

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/s0260305500007862 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 185-188

Author(s):

K.I. MacDonald

Keyword(s):

Social Change ◽

Slope Instability ◽

High Mountain ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Northern Pakistan ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Ice Surface ◽

Wage Labour ◽

Irrigation Channels

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Analysis of remote sensing and in situ datasets to estimate spatial precipitation in high mountain areas: case study Cordillera Blanca, Peru

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-8996 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Edwin Loarte ◽

Katy Medina ◽

Eduardo Villavicencio ◽

Hairo León ◽

Waldo Lavado ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Regression Model ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

High Mountain ◽

Precipitation Data ◽

Wet Season ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Spatial Gradients ◽

Mountain Environments

The Santa River basin has a climatology that is characterized by strong spatial gradients in precipitation. The influence of topography becomes increasingly important when smaller time scales are considered and convective and orographic processes have a more profound influence. This makes its estimation complex and of relevance for research on precipitation estimation in high mountain environments.This study focused on estimating precipitation for the Santa basin located north of the capital of Peru, assessing spatial patterns and temporal variation. Precipitation products were used at a daily temporal resolution obtained from remote sensing datasets, including CHIRPS, PERSIANN-CCS, GPM and PISCO, altitude and vegetation products as NDVI-BOKU and GDEM. Also ground-based precipitation data from weather stations were collected from 35 meteorological stations (2012 -2019).The in situ precipitation data was reviewed, cleaned and quality-checked for processing. The following operations were applied to the raster data: Gaussian filter, resampling at 1km, temporal homogenization (monthly) by accumulating the precipitation products until obtaining the monthly values, and averaging. Afterwards, a linear regression model was built based in which various of the remote sensing datasets served as predictions. The model was validated using the mean square error and the coefficient of determination.The developed regression model provides a better estimate of the precipitation than the individual precipitation dataset. Overall, the resulting model performs relatively low in the dry season (May-September) but improves considerably in the wet season (October-April), with correlations that go up to 0.95. The outcomes of this research can be used to improve the estimation of precipitation patterns in high mountain regions with complex orography.

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