Recent Interannual Variations of Rock Glacier Creep in the European Alps

• Main Authors: Delaloye, Raynald, Perruchoud, Eric, Avian, Michael, Kaufmann, Viktor, Bodin, Xavier, Hausmann, Helmut, Ikeda, Atsushi, Kääb, Andreas, Kellerer-Pirklbauer, Andreas, Krainer, Karl, Lambiel, Christophe, Mihajlovic, Dragan, Staub, Benno, Roer, Isabelle, Thibert, Emmanuel
• Other Authors: Department of Geosciences, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institute of Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry, Graz University of Technology Graz (TU Graz), Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 - Institut de géographie alpine (UJF IGA), Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF), Institute of Geodesy and Geophysics Vienna, Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Université de Tsukuba = University of Tsukuba, Department of Geosciences Oslo, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Oslo, University of Oslo (UiO)-University of Oslo (UiO), Institute of Geography and Regional Science, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Leopold Franzens Universität Innsbruck - University of Innsbruck, Institut de Géographie - Lausanne (IGUL), Université de Lausanne = University of Lausanne (UNIL), Institute of Geography Bern, University of Bern, Département de Géographie, Universität Zürich Zürich = University of Zurich (UZH), Érosion torrentielle, neige et avalanches (UR ETGR (ETNA)), Centre national du machinisme agricole, du génie rural, des eaux et forêts (CEMAGREF)
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2008
• Subjects: creep; European Alps; interannual variations; rock glaciers; surface motion; [SDE.MCG]Environmental Sciences/Global Changes; Fairbanks; glacier; glaciers; permafrost; Alaska
• Online Access: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/halsde-00574686

International audience Recent interannual variations of rock glacier surface motion are compared for 16 landforms monitored for a few years in various parts of the European Alps. Large fluctuations have been observed particularly since 2002. Most investigated rock glaciers have shown a similar behavior whatever their location in the Alpine arc, their size, or their velocity. The observed interannual variations appear to be primarily related to external climatic factors rather than to internal characteristics. They are mostly well correlated with mean annual ground surface temperature shifts with a delay of a few months, reflecting the thermal wave propagation deeper into permafrost. Seasonal factors may also play a significant role: a lower intensity of winter ground freezing and/or a larger winter snow accumulation appear to facilitate a higher rate of rock glacier surface motion.