Rock glacier types and their drainage systems, Grizzly Creek, Yukon Territory

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Author: Johnson, P. G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1978
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Yukon; ice core
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e78-155; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e78-155

Moraine rock glaciers, talus-derived rock glaciers, and avalanche rock glaciers are described from Grizzly Creek. The main moraine rock glacier has a number of flow lobes of different ages as indicated by lichen and vegetation development. On many of these surfaces there is evidence for recent movement in the form of overridden vegetation surfaces and unstable frontal slopes. Meltwater drainage through the landform is slow, allowing precipitation of the suspended sediment load, and as resurgences do not occur for all of the inflow the possibilities of addition to the ice core or drainage below Grizzly Creek gravels are discussed. The talus-derived rock glaciers differ morphologically from the moraine forms with far greater complexity of the flow ridges but with fewer flow episodes indicated. Drainage through these forms is slow and variable and indicates percolation of meltwater over an impermeable surface within the form. Avalanche rock glaciers by contrast are relatively simple morphologically and the extension from the base of the talus is attributed to ice content derived from the avalanches.