Dynamics of rock glaciers of the Northern Tien Shan and the Djungar Ala Tau, Kazakhstan

• Published in: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Main Authors: Gorbunov, Aldar P., Titkov, Sergei N., Polyakov, Victor G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1992
• Subjects: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ppp.3430030105; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fppp.3430030105; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ppp.3430030105

Abstract Over 1500 active rock glaciers have been identified in the Northern Tien Shan and the Djungar Ala Tau, Kazakhstan. Studies of the dynamics of six near‐glacier rock glaciers for 15–60 years show rates of movement in the main body of the rock glacier of 0.16–14.0 m/y. These also vary with time. Factors involved include climatic change, changes in ice content in the source area, flow of glacial meltwater through the rock glacier, changes in gradient of the underlying surface and changes in width of the valley through which it moves.