Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces
The thermal condition of high-alpine mountain flanks can be an important determinant of climate change impact on slope stability and correspondingly down-slope hazard regimes. In this study we analyze time-series from 17 shallow temperature-depth profiles at two field sites in steep bedrock and ice....
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:a92619423f434423bf0804dba77594ce 2023-05-15T16:37:36+02:00 Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces A. Hasler S. Gruber W. Haeberli 2011-11-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-977-2011 https://doaj.org/article/a92619423f434423bf0804dba77594ce EN eng Copernicus Publications http://www.the-cryosphere.net/5/977/2011/tc-5-977-2011.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-5-977-2011 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/a92619423f434423bf0804dba77594ce The Cryosphere, Vol 5, Iss 4, Pp 977-988 (2011) Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 article 2011 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-977-2011 2022-12-31T13:28:10Z The thermal condition of high-alpine mountain flanks can be an important determinant of climate change impact on slope stability and correspondingly down-slope hazard regimes. In this study we analyze time-series from 17 shallow temperature-depth profiles at two field sites in steep bedrock and ice. Extending earlier studies that revealed the topographic variations in temperatures, we demonstrate considerable differences of annual mean temperatures for variable surface characteristics and depths within the measured profiles. This implies that measurements and model related to compact and near-vertical bedrock temperatures may deviate considerably from conditions in the majority of bedrock slopes in mountain ranges that are usually non-vertical and fractured. For radiation-exposed faces mean annual temperatures at depth are up to 3 °C lower and permafrost is likely to exist at lower elevations than reflected by estimates based on near-vertical homogeneous cases. Retention of a thin snow cover and ventilation effects in open clefts are most likely responsible for this cooling. The measurements presented or similar data could be used in the future to support the development and testing of models related to the thermal effect of snow-cover and fractures in steep bedrock. Article in Journal/Newspaper Ice permafrost The Cryosphere Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles The Cryosphere 5 4 977 988 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
spellingShingle |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 A. Hasler S. Gruber W. Haeberli Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces |
topic_facet |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
description |
The thermal condition of high-alpine mountain flanks can be an important determinant of climate change impact on slope stability and correspondingly down-slope hazard regimes. In this study we analyze time-series from 17 shallow temperature-depth profiles at two field sites in steep bedrock and ice. Extending earlier studies that revealed the topographic variations in temperatures, we demonstrate considerable differences of annual mean temperatures for variable surface characteristics and depths within the measured profiles. This implies that measurements and model related to compact and near-vertical bedrock temperatures may deviate considerably from conditions in the majority of bedrock slopes in mountain ranges that are usually non-vertical and fractured. For radiation-exposed faces mean annual temperatures at depth are up to 3 °C lower and permafrost is likely to exist at lower elevations than reflected by estimates based on near-vertical homogeneous cases. Retention of a thin snow cover and ventilation effects in open clefts are most likely responsible for this cooling. The measurements presented or similar data could be used in the future to support the development and testing of models related to the thermal effect of snow-cover and fractures in steep bedrock. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
A. Hasler S. Gruber W. Haeberli |
author_facet |
A. Hasler S. Gruber W. Haeberli |
author_sort |
A. Hasler |
title |
Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces |
title_short |
Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces |
title_full |
Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces |
title_fullStr |
Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces |
title_full_unstemmed |
Temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces |
title_sort |
temperature variability and offset in steep alpine rock and ice faces |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-977-2011 https://doaj.org/article/a92619423f434423bf0804dba77594ce |
genre |
Ice permafrost The Cryosphere |
genre_facet |
Ice permafrost The Cryosphere |
op_source |
The Cryosphere, Vol 5, Iss 4, Pp 977-988 (2011) |
op_relation |
http://www.the-cryosphere.net/5/977/2011/tc-5-977-2011.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-5-977-2011 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/a92619423f434423bf0804dba77594ce |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-977-2011 |
container_title |
The Cryosphere |
container_volume |
5 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
977 |
op_container_end_page |
988 |
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1766027906814836736 |