Monitoring of periglacial phenomena in the furggentälti Swiss Alps

• Published in: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Main Authors: Krummenacher, Bernhard, Budmiger, Klaus
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1992
• Subjects: Small Rock; permafrost; Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ppp.3430030213; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fppp.3430030213; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ppp.3430030213

Abstract A monitoring system for periglacial phenomena has been installed in the Furggentälti (Gemmi) Swiss Alps in the framework of geomorphological field studies aimed at the instruction of students. Various periglacial landforms and processes can be observed in an area of about 1 km 2 . The research layout includes a survey station for soil and air temperatures, a geodetic surveying triangulation network of a solifluction lobe, and photogrammetric analysis of the soil frost pattern dynamics (stone rings) and a small rock glacier. Geophysical explorations (geoelectric and seismic refraction) and BTS measurements are undertaken on the rock glacier; these measurements have ascertained the presence of permafrost. The temperature survey station records values at levels between 1 m beneath the surface and 1.5 m above the surface; this allows correlation between displacement values of the solifluction lobe and the soil temperatures.