Articles | Volume 13, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1889-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-1889-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
11 Jul 2019
Research article |
| 11 Jul 2019
| 11 Jul 2019
Unravelling the evolution of Zmuttgletscher and its debris cover since the end of the Little Ice Age
Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich,
Switzerland
Tobias Bolch
Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich,
Switzerland
now at: School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St
Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9A, Scotland, UK
Andrea Walter
Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich,
Switzerland
Andreas Vieli
Department of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich,
Switzerland
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Latest update: 28 Oct 2025
Short summary
Debris can partly protect glaciers from melting. But many debris-covered glaciers change similar to debris-free glaciers. To better understand the debris influence we investigated 150 years of evolution of Zmutt Glacier in Switzerland. We found an increase in debris extent over time and a link to glacier flow velocity changes. We also found an influence of debris on the melt locally, but only a small volume change reduction over the whole glacier, also because of the influence of ice cliffs.
Debris can partly protect glaciers from melting. But many debris-covered glaciers change similar...
