Articles | Volume 15, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1187-2021
© Author(s) 2021. 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-15-1187-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
03 Mar 2021
Research article |
| 03 Mar 2021
| 03 Mar 2021
Ice content and interannual water storage changes of an active rock glacier in the dry Andes of Argentina
Christian Halla
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geography, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Jan Henrik Blöthe
Institute of Environmental Social Sciences and Geography, University
of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, Germany
Carla Tapia Baldis
Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias
Ambientales, CCT CONICET, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
Dario Trombotto Liaudat
Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias
Ambientales, CCT CONICET, 5500 Mendoza, Argentina
Christin Hilbich
Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg,
Switzerland
Christian Hauck
Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg,
Switzerland
Lothar Schrott
Department of Geography, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Related authors
No articles found.
Wilfried Haeberli, Lukas U. Arenson, Julie Wee, Christian Hauck, and Nico Mölg
The Cryosphere, 18, 1669–1683, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1669-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1669-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Rock glaciers in ice-rich permafrost can be discriminated from debris-covered glaciers. The key physical phenomenon relates to the tight mechanical coupling between the moving frozen body at depth and the surface layer of debris in the case of rock glaciers, as opposed to the virtually inexistent coupling in the case of surface ice with a debris cover. Contact zones of surface ice with subsurface ice in permafrost constitute diffuse landforms beyond either–or-type landform classification.
Mohammad Farzamian, Teddi Herring, Goncalo Vieira, Miguel Angel de Pablo, Borhan Yaghoobi Tabar, and Christian Hauck
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2908, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2908, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
An Automated Electrical Resistivity Tomography (A-ERT) system was developed and deployed in Antarctica to monitor permafrost and active layer dynamics. The A-ERT, coupled with an efficient processing workflow, demonstrated its capability to monitor real-time thaw depth progression, detect seasonal and surficial freezing/thawing events, and assess permafrost stability. Our study showcased the potential of A-ERT for contributing to global permafrost monitoring networks.
Bernd Etzelmüller, Ketil Isaksen, Justyna Czekirda, Sebastian Westermann, Christin Hilbich, and Christian Hauck
The Cryosphere, 17, 5477–5497, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5477-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5477-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Permafrost (permanently frozen ground) is widespread in the mountains of Norway and Iceland. Several boreholes were drilled after 1999 for long-term permafrost monitoring. We document a strong warming of permafrost, including the development of unfrozen bodies in the permafrost. Warming and degradation of mountain permafrost may lead to more natural hazards.
Johannes Buckel, Jan Mudler, Rainer Gardeweg, Christian Hauck, Christin Hilbich, Regula Frauenfelder, Christof Kneisel, Sebastian Buchelt, Jan Henrik Blöthe, Andreas Hördt, and Matthias Bücker
The Cryosphere, 17, 2919–2940, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2919-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2919-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study reveals permafrost degradation by repeating old geophysical measurements at three Alpine sites. The compared data indicate that ice-poor permafrost is highly affected by temperature warming. The melting of ice-rich permafrost could not be identified. However, complex geomorphic processes are responsible for this rather than external temperature change. We suspect permafrost degradation here as well. In addition, we introduce a new current injection method for data acquisition.
Theresa Maierhofer, Adrian Flores Orozco, Nathalie Roser, Jonas K. Limbrock, Christin Hilbich, Clemens Moser, Andreas Kemna, Elisabetta Drigo, Umberto Morra di Cella, and Christian Hauck
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-671, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-671, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we apply an electrical method in a high mountain permafrost terrain in the Italian Alps, where long-term borehole temperature data are available for validation. In particular, we investigate the frequency dependence of the electrical properties for seasonal and annual variations along three years monitoring period. We demonstrate that our method is capable of resolving temporal changes in the thermal state and the ice/water ratio associated with seasonal freeze-thaw processes.
Thomas O. Hoffmann, Yannik Baulig, Stefan Vollmer, Jan H. Blöthe, Karl Auerswald, and Peter Fiener
Earth Surf. Dynam., 11, 287–303, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-287-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-287-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We analyzed more than 440 000 measurements from suspended sediment monitoring to show that suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in large rivers in Germany strongly declined by 50 % between 1990 and 2010. We argue that SSC is approaching the natural base level that was reached during the mid-Holocene. There is no simple explanation for this decline, but increased sediment retention in upstream headwaters is presumably the major reason for declining SSC in the large river channels studied.
Adrian Wicki, Peter Lehmann, Christian Hauck, and Manfred Stähli
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1059–1077, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1059-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1059-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Soil wetness measurements are used for shallow landslide prediction; however, existing sites are often located in flat terrain. Here, we assessed the ability of monitoring sites at flat locations to detect critically saturated conditions compared to if they were situated at a landslide-prone location. We found that differences exist but that both sites could equally well distinguish critical from non-critical conditions for shallow landslide triggering if relative changes are considered.
Karianne S. Lilleøren, Bernd Etzelmüller, Line Rouyet, Trond Eiken, Gaute Slinde, and Christin Hilbich
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 975–996, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-975-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-975-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In northern Norway we have observed several rock glaciers at sea level. Rock glaciers are landforms that only form under the influence of permafrost, which is frozen ground. Our investigations show that the rock glaciers are probably not active under the current climate but most likely were active in the recent past. This shows how the Arctic now changes due to climate changes and also how similar areas in currently colder climates will change in the future.
Tamara Mathys, Christin Hilbich, Lukas U. Arenson, Pablo A. Wainstein, and Christian Hauck
The Cryosphere, 16, 2595–2615, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2595-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2595-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
With ongoing climate change, there is a pressing need to understand how much water is stored as ground ice in permafrost. Still, field-based data on permafrost in the Andes are scarce, resulting in large uncertainties regarding ground ice volumes and their hydrological role. We introduce an upscaling methodology of geophysical-based ground ice quantifications at the catchment scale. Our results indicate that substantial ground ice volumes may also be present in areas without rock glaciers.
Theresa Maierhofer, Christian Hauck, Christin Hilbich, Andreas Kemna, and Adrián Flores-Orozco
The Cryosphere, 16, 1903–1925, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1903-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1903-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We extend the application of electrical methods to characterize alpine permafrost using the so-called induced polarization (IP) effect associated with the storage of charges at the interface between liquid and solid phases. We investigate different field protocols to enhance data quality and conclude that with appropriate measurement and processing procedures, the characteristic dependence of the IP response of frozen rocks improves the assessment of thermal state and ice content in permafrost.
Christin Hilbich, Christian Hauck, Coline Mollaret, Pablo Wainstein, and Lukas U. Arenson
The Cryosphere, 16, 1845–1872, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1845-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1845-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In view of water scarcity in the Andes, the significance of permafrost as a future water resource is often debated focusing on satellite-detected features such as rock glaciers. We present data from > 50 geophysical surveys in Chile and Argentina to quantify the ground ice volume stored in various permafrost landforms, showing that not only rock glacier but also non-rock-glacier permafrost contains significant ground ice volumes and is relevant when assessing the hydrological role of permafrost.
Martin Hoelzle, Christian Hauck, Tamara Mathys, Jeannette Noetzli, Cécile Pellet, and Martin Scherler
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 1531–1547, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-1531-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-1531-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
With ongoing climate change, it is crucial to understand the interactions of the individual heat fluxes at the surface and within the subsurface layers, as well as their impacts on the permafrost thermal regime. A unique set of high-altitude meteorological measurements has been analysed to determine the energy balance at three mountain permafrost sites in the Swiss Alps, where data have been collected since the late 1990s in collaboration with the Swiss Permafrost Monitoring Network (PERMOS).
Bernd Etzelmüller, Justyna Czekirda, Florence Magnin, Pierre-Allain Duvillard, Ludovic Ravanel, Emanuelle Malet, Andreas Aspaas, Lene Kristensen, Ingrid Skrede, Gudrun D. Majala, Benjamin Jacobs, Johannes Leinauer, Christian Hauck, Christin Hilbich, Martina Böhme, Reginald Hermanns, Harald Ø. Eriksen, Tom Rune Lauknes, Michael Krautblatter, and Sebastian Westermann
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 97–129, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-97-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-97-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This paper is a multi-authored study documenting the possible existence of permafrost in permanently monitored rockslides in Norway for the first time by combining a multitude of field data, including geophysical surveys in rock walls. The paper discusses the possible role of thermal regime and rockslide movement, and it evaluates the possible impact of atmospheric warming on rockslide dynamics in Norwegian mountains.
Adrian Wicki, Per-Erik Jansson, Peter Lehmann, Christian Hauck, and Manfred Stähli
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 4585–4610, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4585-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-4585-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Soil moisture information was shown to be valuable for landslide prediction. Soil moisture was simulated at 133 sites in Switzerland, and the temporal variability was compared to the regional occurrence of landslides. We found that simulated soil moisture is a good predictor for landslides, and that the forecast goodness is similar to using in situ measurements. This encourages the use of models for complementing existing soil moisture monitoring networks for regional landslide early warning.
Ingo Hartmeyer, Robert Delleske, Markus Keuschnig, Michael Krautblatter, Andreas Lang, Lothar Schrott, and Jan-Christoph Otto
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 729–751, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-729-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-729-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Climate warming is causing significant ice surface lowering even in the uppermost parts of alpine glaciers. Using terrestrial lidar, we quantify rockfall in freshly exposed cirque walls. During 6-year monitoring (2011–2017), an extensive dataset was established and over 600 rockfall events identified. Drastically increased rockfall activity following ice retreat can clearly be observed as 60 % of the rockfall volume detached from less than 10 m above the glacier surface.
Ingo Hartmeyer, Markus Keuschnig, Robert Delleske, Michael Krautblatter, Andreas Lang, Lothar Schrott, Günther Prasicek, and Jan-Christoph Otto
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 753–768, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-753-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-753-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Rockfall size and frequency in two deglaciating cirques in the Central Alps, Austria, is analysed based on 6-year rockwall monitoring with terrestrial lidar (2011–2017). The erosion rates derived from this dataset are very high due to a frequent occurrence of large rockfalls in freshly deglaciated areas. The results obtained are important for rockfall hazard assessments, as, in rockwalls affected by glacier retreat, historical rockfall patterns are not good predictors of future events.
Thomas O. Hoffmann, Yannik Baulig, Helmut Fischer, and Jan Blöthe
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 661–678, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-661-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-661-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We study the dynamics of suspended matter and associated nutrients in large rivers in Germany. The relationship between suspended sediment concentration and discharge is diagnostic of the processes and sources of suspended matter. We show that suspended matter originates from organic growth within the river at low flow and from soil erosion at high flow. In a warmer climate with increased frequency of droughts, low flow states are likely to be more prolonged, affecting the behavior of rivers.
Maximilian Weigand, Florian M. Wagner, Jonas K. Limbrock, Christin Hilbich, Christian Hauck, and Andreas Kemna
Geosci. Instrum. Method. Data Syst., 9, 317–336, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-317-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-9-317-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
In times of global warming, permafrost is starting to degrade at alarming rates, requiring new and improved characterization approaches. We describe the design and test installation, as well as detailed data quality assessment, of a monitoring system used to capture natural electrical potentials in the subsurface. These self-potential signals are of great interest for the noninvasive investigation of water flow in the non-frozen or partially frozen subsurface.
Mohammad Farzamian, Gonçalo Vieira, Fernando A. Monteiro Santos, Borhan Yaghoobi Tabar, Christian Hauck, Maria Catarina Paz, Ivo Bernardo, Miguel Ramos, and Miguel Angel de Pablo
The Cryosphere, 14, 1105–1120, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1105-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1105-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
A 2-D automated electrical resistivity tomography (A-ERT) system was installed for the first time in Antarctica at Deception Island to (i) monitor subsurface freezing and thawing processes on a daily and seasonal basis and map the spatial and temporal variability of thaw depth and to (ii) study the impact of short-lived extreme meteorological events on active layer dynamics.
Coline Mollaret, Christin Hilbich, Cécile Pellet, Adrian Flores-Orozco, Reynald Delaloye, and Christian Hauck
The Cryosphere, 13, 2557–2578, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2557-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2557-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We present a long-term multisite electrical resistivity tomography monitoring network (more than 1000 datasets recorded from six mountain permafrost sites). Despite harsh and remote measurement conditions, the datasets are of good quality and show consistent spatio-temporal variations yielding significant added value to point-scale borehole information. Observed long-term trends are similar for all permafrost sites, showing ongoing permafrost thaw and ground ice loss due to climatic conditions.
Jan Mudler, Andreas Hördt, Anita Przyklenk, Gianluca Fiandaca, Pradip Kumar Maurya, and Christian Hauck
The Cryosphere, 13, 2439–2456, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2439-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2439-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The capacitively coupled resistivity (CCR) method enables the determination of frequency-dependent electrical parameters of the subsurface. CCR is well suited for application in cryospheric areas because it provides logistical advantages regarding coupling on hard surfaces and highly resistive grounds. With our new spectral two-dimensional inversion, we can identify subsurface structures based on full spectral information. We show the first results of the inversion method on the field scale.
Martin Beniston, Daniel Farinotti, Markus Stoffel, Liss M. Andreassen, Erika Coppola, Nicolas Eckert, Adriano Fantini, Florie Giacona, Christian Hauck, Matthias Huss, Hendrik Huwald, Michael Lehning, Juan-Ignacio López-Moreno, Jan Magnusson, Christoph Marty, Enrique Morán-Tejéda, Samuel Morin, Mohamed Naaim, Antonello Provenzale, Antoine Rabatel, Delphine Six, Johann Stötter, Ulrich Strasser, Silvia Terzago, and Christian Vincent
The Cryosphere, 12, 759–794, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-759-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-759-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
This paper makes a rather exhaustive overview of current knowledge of past, current, and future aspects of cryospheric issues in continental Europe and makes a number of reflections of areas of uncertainty requiring more attention in both scientific and policy terms. The review paper is completed by a bibliography containing 350 recent references that will certainly be of value to scholars engaged in the fields of glacier, snow, and permafrost research.
Benjamin Mewes, Christin Hilbich, Reynald Delaloye, and Christian Hauck
The Cryosphere, 11, 2957–2974, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2957-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2957-2017, 2017
Cécile Pellet and Christian Hauck
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 3199–3220, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3199-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3199-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents a detailed description of the new Swiss soil moisture monitoring network SOMOMOUNT, which comprises six stations distributed along an elevation gradient ranging from 1205 to 3410 m. The liquid soil moisture (LSM) data collected during the first 3 years are discussed with regard to their soil type and climate dependency as well as their altitudinal distribution. The elevation dependency of the LSM was found to be non-linear with distinct dynamics at high and low elevation.
Jonas Wicky and Christian Hauck
The Cryosphere, 11, 1311–1325, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-1311-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-1311-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Talus slopes are a widespread geomorphic feature, which may show permafrost conditions even at low elevation due to cold microclimates induced by a gravity-driven internal air circulation. We show for the first time a numerical simulation of this internal air circulation of a field-scale talus slope. Results indicate that convective heat transfer leads to a pronounced ground cooling in the lower part of the talus slope favoring the persistence of permafrost.
Antoine Marmy, Jan Rajczak, Reynald Delaloye, Christin Hilbich, Martin Hoelzle, Sven Kotlarski, Christophe Lambiel, Jeannette Noetzli, Marcia Phillips, Nadine Salzmann, Benno Staub, and Christian Hauck
The Cryosphere, 10, 2693–2719, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2693-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2693-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents a new semi-automated method to calibrate the 1-D soil model COUP. It is the first time (as far as we know) that this approach is developed for mountain permafrost. It is applied at six test sites in the Swiss Alps. In a second step, the calibrated model is used for RCM-based simulations with specific downscaling of RCM data to the borehole scale. We show projections of the permafrost evolution at the six sites until the end of the century and according to the A1B scenario.
A. Ekici, S. Chadburn, N. Chaudhary, L. H. Hajdu, A. Marmy, S. Peng, J. Boike, E. Burke, A. D. Friend, C. Hauck, G. Krinner, M. Langer, P. A. Miller, and C. Beer
The Cryosphere, 9, 1343–1361, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1343-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1343-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This paper compares the performance of different land models in estimating soil thermal regimes at distinct cold region landscape types. Comparing models with different processes reveal the importance of surface insulation (snow/moss layer) and soil internal processes (heat/water transfer). The importance of model processes also depend on site conditions such as high/low snow cover, dry/wet soil types.
P. Pogliotti, M. Guglielmin, E. Cremonese, U. Morra di Cella, G. Filippa, C. Pellet, and C. Hauck
The Cryosphere, 9, 647–661, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-647-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-647-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents the thermal state and recent evolution of permafrost at Cime Bianche.
The analysis reveals that (i) spatial variability of MAGST is greater than its interannual variability and is controlled by snow duration and air temperature during the snow-free period, (ii) the ALT has a pronounced spatial variability caused by a different subsurface ice and water content, and (iii) permafrost is warming at significant rates below 8m of depth.
B. Staub, A. Marmy, C. Hauck, C. Hilbich, and R. Delaloye
Geogr. Helv., 70, 45–62, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-70-45-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-70-45-2015, 2015
A. Ekici, C. Beer, S. Hagemann, J. Boike, M. Langer, and C. Hauck
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 631–647, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-631-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-631-2014, 2014
M. Scherler, S. Schneider, M. Hoelzle, and C. Hauck
Earth Surf. Dynam., 2, 141–154, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-2-141-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-2-141-2014, 2014
S. Schneider, S. Daengeli, C. Hauck, and M. Hoelzle
Geogr. Helv., 68, 265–280, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-68-265-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-68-265-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Discipline: Frozen ground | Subject: Geomorphology
Discriminating viscous-creep features (rock glaciers) in mountain permafrost from debris-covered glaciers – a commented test at the Gruben and Yerba Loca sites, Swiss Alps and Chilean Andes
Assessment of rock glaciers and their water storage in Guokalariju, Tibetan Plateau
A climate-driven, altitudinal transition in rock glacier dynamics detected through integration of geomorphological mapping and InSAR-based kinematics
Identifying mountain permafrost degradation by repeating historical electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) measurements
Permafrost degradation at two monitored palsa mires in north-west Finland
Contrasted geomorphological and limnological properties of thermokarst lakes formed in buried glacier ice and ice-wedge polygon terrain
Recent degradation of interior Alaska permafrost mapped with ground surveys, geophysics, deep drilling, and repeat airborne lidar
Thaw-driven mass wasting couples slopes with downstream systems, and effects propagate through Arctic drainage networks
Insights into a remote cryosphere: a multi-method approach to assess permafrost occurrence at the Qugaqie basin, western Nyainqêntanglha Range, Tibetan Plateau
Permafrost distribution and conditions at the headwalls of two receding glaciers (Schladming and Hallstatt glaciers) in the Dachstein Massif, Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria
Rock glacier characteristics serve as an indirect record of multiple alpine glacier advances in Taylor Valley, Antarctica
Evaluating the destabilization susceptibility of active rock glaciers in the French Alps
Wilfried Haeberli, Lukas U. Arenson, Julie Wee, Christian Hauck, and Nico Mölg
The Cryosphere, 18, 1669–1683, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1669-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1669-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Rock glaciers in ice-rich permafrost can be discriminated from debris-covered glaciers. The key physical phenomenon relates to the tight mechanical coupling between the moving frozen body at depth and the surface layer of debris in the case of rock glaciers, as opposed to the virtually inexistent coupling in the case of surface ice with a debris cover. Contact zones of surface ice with subsurface ice in permafrost constitute diffuse landforms beyond either–or-type landform classification.
Mengzhen Li, Yanmin Yang, Zhaoyu Peng, and Gengnian Liu
The Cryosphere, 18, 1–16, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We map a detailed rock glaciers inventory to further explore the regional distribution controlling factors, water storage, and permafrost probability distribution in Guokalariju. Results show that (i) the distribution of rock glaciers is controlled by the complex composition of topo-climate factors, increases in precipitation are conducive to rock glaciers forming at lower altitudes, and (ii) 1.32–3.60 km3 of water is stored in the rock glaciers, or ~ 59 % of the water glaciers presently store.
Aldo Bertone, Nina Jones, Volkmar Mair, Riccardo Scotti, Tazio Strozzi, and Francesco Brardinoni
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2023-143, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2023-143, 2023
Revised manuscript accepted for TC
Short summary
Short summary
Traditional inventories display high uncertainty at discriminating between intact (permafrost-bearing) and relict (-devoid) rock glaciers (RGs). Integration of InSAR-based kinematics in South Tyrol affords uncertainty reduction and depicts a broad elevation belt of relict-intact coexistence. RG velocity and moving area (MA) cover increase linearly with elevation up to an inflection at 2600–2800 m asl, which we regard as a signature of sporadic-to-discontinuous permafrost transition.
Johannes Buckel, Jan Mudler, Rainer Gardeweg, Christian Hauck, Christin Hilbich, Regula Frauenfelder, Christof Kneisel, Sebastian Buchelt, Jan Henrik Blöthe, Andreas Hördt, and Matthias Bücker
The Cryosphere, 17, 2919–2940, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2919-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2919-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study reveals permafrost degradation by repeating old geophysical measurements at three Alpine sites. The compared data indicate that ice-poor permafrost is highly affected by temperature warming. The melting of ice-rich permafrost could not be identified. However, complex geomorphic processes are responsible for this rather than external temperature change. We suspect permafrost degradation here as well. In addition, we introduce a new current injection method for data acquisition.
Mariana Verdonen, Alexander Störmer, Eliisa Lotsari, Pasi Korpelainen, Benjamin Burkhard, Alfred Colpaert, and Timo Kumpula
The Cryosphere, 17, 1803–1819, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1803-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1803-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The study revealed a stable and even decreasing thickness of thaw depth in peat mounds with perennially frozen cores, despite overall rapid permafrost degradation within 14 years. This means that measuring the thickness of the thawed layer – a commonly used method – is alone insufficient to assess the permafrost conditions in subarctic peatlands. The study showed that climate change is the main driver of these permafrost features’ decay, but its effect depends on the peatland’s local conditions.
Stéphanie Coulombe, Daniel Fortier, Frédéric Bouchard, Michel Paquette, Simon Charbonneau, Denis Lacelle, Isabelle Laurion, and Reinhard Pienitz
The Cryosphere, 16, 2837–2857, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2837-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2837-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Buried glacier ice is widespread in Arctic regions that were once covered by glaciers and ice sheets. In this study, we investigated the influence of buried glacier ice on the formation of Arctic tundra lakes on Bylot Island, Nunavut. Our results suggest that initiation of deeper lakes was triggered by the melting of buried glacier ice. Given future climate projections, the melting of glacier ice permafrost could create new aquatic ecosystems and strongly modify existing ones.
Thomas A. Douglas, Christopher A. Hiemstra, John E. Anderson, Robyn A. Barbato, Kevin L. Bjella, Elias J. Deeb, Arthur B. Gelvin, Patricia E. Nelsen, Stephen D. Newman, Stephanie P. Saari, and Anna M. Wagner
The Cryosphere, 15, 3555–3575, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3555-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3555-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Permafrost is actively degrading across high latitudes due to climate warming. We combined thousands of end-of-summer active layer measurements, permafrost temperatures, geophysical surveys, deep borehole drilling, and repeat airborne lidar to quantify permafrost warming and thawing at sites across central Alaska. We calculate the mass of permafrost soil carbon potentially exposed to thaw over the past 7 years (0.44 Pg) is similar to the yearly carbon dioxide emissions of Australia.
Steven V. Kokelj, Justin Kokoszka, Jurjen van der Sluijs, Ashley C. A. Rudy, Jon Tunnicliffe, Sarah Shakil, Suzanne E. Tank, and Scott Zolkos
The Cryosphere, 15, 3059–3081, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3059-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3059-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Climate-driven landslides are transforming glacially conditioned permafrost terrain, coupling slopes with aquatic systems, and triggering a cascade of downstream effects. Nonlinear intensification of thawing slopes is primarily affecting headwater systems where slope sediment yields overwhelm stream transport capacity. The propagation of effects across watershed scales indicates that western Arctic Canada will be an interconnected hotspot of thaw-driven change through the coming millennia.
Johannes Buckel, Eike Reinosch, Andreas Hördt, Fan Zhang, Björn Riedel, Markus Gerke, Antje Schwalb, and Roland Mäusbacher
The Cryosphere, 15, 149–168, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-149-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-149-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents insights into the remote cryosphere of a mountain range at the Tibetan Plateau. Small-scaled studies and field data about permafrost occurrence are very scarce. A multi-method approach (geomorphological mapping, geophysics, InSAR time series analysis) assesses the lower occurrence of permafrost the range of 5350 and 5500 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in the Qugaqie basin. The highest, multiannual creeping rates up to 150 mm/yr are observed on rock glaciers.
Matthias Rode, Oliver Sass, Andreas Kellerer-Pirklbauer, Harald Schnepfleitner, and Christoph Gitschthaler
The Cryosphere, 14, 1173–1186, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1173-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1173-2020, 2020
Kelsey Winsor, Kate M. Swanger, Esther Babcock, Rachel D. Valletta, and James L. Dickson
The Cryosphere, 14, 1–16, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We studied an ice-cored rock glacier in Taylor Valley, Antarctica, coupling ground-penetrating radar analyses with stable isotope and major ion geochemistry of (a) surface ponds and (b) buried clean ice. These analyses indicate that the rock glacier ice is fed by a nearby alpine glacier, recording multiple Holocene to late Pleistocene glacial advances. We demonstrate the potential to use rock glaciers and buried ice, common throughout Antarctica, to map previous glacial extents.
Marco Marcer, Charlie Serrano, Alexander Brenning, Xavier Bodin, Jason Goetz, and Philippe Schoeneich
The Cryosphere, 13, 141–155, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-141-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-141-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This study aims to assess the occurrence of rock glacier destabilization in the French Alps, a process that causes a landslide-like behaviour of permafrost debris slopes. A significant number of the landforms in the region were found to be experiencing destabilization. Multivariate analysis suggested a link between destabilization occurrence and permafrost thaw induced by climate warming. These results call for a regional characterization of permafrost hazards in the context of climate change.
Cited articles
Aizebeokhai, A. P. and Oyeyemi, K. D.: The use of the multiple-gradient
array for geoelectrical resistivity and induced polarization imaging,
J. Appl. Geophys., 111, 364–376, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2014.10.023, 2014.
Archie, G. E.: The Electrical Resistivity Log as an Aid in Determining Some
Reservoir Characteristics, Petroleum Transactions of American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers (AIME), 146, 54–62, https://doi.org/10.2118/942054-G, 1942.
Arenson, L. and Springman, S.: Triaxial constant stress and constant strain
rate tests on ice-rich permafrost samples, Can. Geotech. J., 42, 412–430, https://doi.org/10.1139/T04-111, 2005.
Arenson, L., Hoelzle, M., and Springman, S.: Borehole deformation
measurements and internal structure of some rock glaciers in Switzerland,
Permafrost Periglac., 13, 117–135, https://doi.org/10.1002/Ppp.414, 2002.
Arenson, L. U. and Jakob, M.: The Significance of Rock Glaciers in the Dry
Andes – A Discussion of Azocar and Brenning (2010) and Brenning and Azocar
(2010), Permafrost Periglac., 21, 282–285, https://doi.org/10.1002/Ppp.693, 2010.
Arenson, L. U., Pastore, S., Trombotto, D., Bolling, S., Quiroz, M. A., and
Ochoa, X. L.: Characteristics of two rock glaciers in the dry Argentinean
Andes based on initial surface investigations, in: Proceedings 6th Canadian Permafrost Conference, Calgary, Alberta, 2010.
Azocar, G. F. and Brenning, A.: Hydrological and Geomorphological
Significance of Rock Glaciers in the Dry Andes, Chile (27–33∘ S), Permafrost Periglac., 21, 42–53, https://doi.org/10.1002/Ppp.669, 2010.
Barnett, T. P., Adam, J. C., and Lettenmaier, D. P.: Potential impacts of a
warming climate on water availability in snow-dominated regions, Nature,
438, 303–309, 2005.
Barsch, D.: Rockglaciers: indicators for the present and former geoecology
in high mountain environments, Springer, Berlin, 331 pp., 1996.
Berthling, I.: Beyond confusion: Rock glaciers as cryo-conditioned
landforms, Geomorphology, 131, 98–106, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.05.002, 2011.
Blöthe, J. H., Rosenwinkel, S., Höser, T., and Korup, O.:
Rock-glacier dams in High Asia, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 44, 808–824, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4532, 2019.
Bradley, R. S., Vuille, M., Diaz, H. F., and Vergara, W.: Threats to water
supplies in the tropical Andes, Science, 312, 1755–1756, 2006.
Brasington, J., Langham, J., and Rumsby, B.: Methodological sensitivity of
morphometric estimates of coarse fluvial sediment transport, Geomorphology,
53, 299–316, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(02)00320-3, 2003.
Braun, M. H., Malz, P., Sommer, C., Farías-Barahona, D., Sauter, T.,
Casassa, G., Soruco, A., Skvarca, P., and Seehaus, T. C.: Constraining
glacier elevation and mass changes in South America, Nat. Clim. Change, 9,
130–136, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0375-7, 2019.
Brenning, A.: Geomorphological, hydrological and climatic significance of
rock glaciers in the Andes of Central Chile (33–35∘ S), Permafrost Periglac., 16, 231–240, https://doi.org/10.1002/Ppp.528, 2005.
Brenning, A.: The significance of rock glaciers in the dry Andes – reply to
Arenson, L. and Jakob, M., Permafrost Periglac., 21, 286–288, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.702, 2010.
Buchli, T., Kos, A., Limpach, P., Merz, K., Zhou, X., and Springman, S. M.:
Kinematic investigations on the Furggwanghorn Rock Glacier, Switzerland,
Permafrost Periglac., 29, 3–20, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1968, 2018.
Burger, K. C., Degenhardt Jr., J. J., and Giardino, J. R.: Engineering
geomorphology of rock glaciers, Geomorphology, 31, 93–132, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(99)00074-4, 1999.
CEAZA: Datos provistos por CEAZA, available at: http://www.ceazamet.cl (last access: 21 January 2020), 2019.
Cicoira, A., Beutel, J., Faillettaz, J., and Vieli, A.: Water controls the
seasonal rhythm of rock glacier flow, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 528, 115844,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.115844, 2019.
Colombo, N., Salerno, F., Gruber, S., Freppaz, M., Williams, M., Fratianni,
S., and Giardino, M.: Review: Impacts of permafrost degradation on inorganic
chemistry of surface fresh water, Global Planet. Change, 162, 69–83, 2018a.
Colombo, N., Sambuelli, L., Comina, C., Colombero, C., Giardino, M., Gruber,
S., Viviano, G., Antisari, L. V., and Salerno, F.: Mechanisms linking active
rock glaciers and impounded surface water formation in high-mountain areas, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 43, 417–431, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4257, 2018b.
Corte, A.: The Hydrological Significance of Rock Glaciers, J. Glaciol., 17,
157–158, https://doi.org/10.3189/S0022143000030859, 1976.
Corte, A.: Rock glaciers as permafrost bodies with a debris cover as an
active layer, A hydrological approach, Andes of Mendoza, Argentina, Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Permafrost, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, 262–269, 1978.
Croce, F. A. and Milana, J. P.: Internal structure and behaviour of a rock
glacier in the arid Andes of Argentina, Permafrost Periglac., 13, 289–299, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.431, 2002.
Cuffey, K. M. and Paterson, W. S. B.: The physics of glaciers, Academic
Press, Springer, Berlin, 331 pp., 2010.
Dahlin, T. and Zhou, B.: A numerical comparison of 2D resistivity imaging
with 10 electrode arrays, Geophys. Prospect., 52, 379–398, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2004.00423.x, 2004.
Dall'Asta, E., Forlani, G., Roncella, R., Santise, M., Diotri, F., and Morra di Cella, U.: Unmanned Aerial Systems and DSM matching for rock glacier
monitoring, ISPRS J. Photogramm., 127, 102–114, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2016.10.003, 2017.
Draebing, D.: Application of refraction seismics in alpine permafrost
studies: A review, Earth-Sci. Rev., 155, 136–152, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2016.02.006, 2016.
Drewes, J., Moreiras, S., and Korup, O.: Permafrost activity and atmospheric
warming in the Argentinian Andes, Geomorphology, 323, 13–24, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.09.005, 2018.
Duguay, M. A., Edmunds, A., Arenson, L. U., and Wainstein, P. A.:
Quantifying the significance of the hydrological contribution of a rock
glacier – A review, in: GEOQuébec 2015: Challenges From North to South, 68th Canadian Geotechnical Conference and 7th Canadian Permafrost Conference,
Québec, Canada, 2015.
Dussaillant, I., Berthier, E., Brun, F., Masiokas, M., Hugonnet, R., Favier,
V., Rabatel, A., Pitte, P., and Ruiz, L.: Two decades of glacier mass loss
along the Andes, Nat. Geosci., 12, 802–808, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0432-5, 2019.
Duvillard, P. A., Revil, A., Qi, Y., Soueid Ahmed, A., Coperey, A., and
Ravanel, L.: Three-Dimensional Electrical Conductivity and Induced
Polarization Tomography of a Rock Glacier,
J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea., 123, 9528–9554, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB015965, 2018.
Förstner, W.: A feature based correspondence algorithm for image
matching, International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 26, 150–166, 1986.
Funk, C., Peterson, P., Landsfeld, M., Pedreros, D., Verdin, J., Shukla, S.,
Husak, G., Rowland, J., Harrison, L., Hoell, A., and Michaelsen, J.: The
climate hazards infrared precipitation with stations – a new environmental
record for monitoring extremes, Scientific Data, 2, 150066, https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2015.66, 2015.
Geiger, S. T., Daniels, J. M., Miller, S. N., and Nicholas, J. W.: Influence
of rock glaciers on stream hydrology in the La Sal Mountains, Utah,
Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res., 46, 645–658, https://doi.org/10.1657/1938-4246-46.3.645, 2014.
Haeberli, W., Hoelzle, M., Kääb, A., Keller, F., Vonder Mühll, D., and Wagner, S.: Ten years after drilling through the permafrost of the active rock glacier Murtèl, eastern Swiss Alps: answered questions and new perspectives, in: Collection Nordicana, 7th International Conference on Permafrost, 23–27 June 1998, edited by: Lewkowicz, A. G., and Allard, M., Université Laval, Yellowknife, Canada, 403–410, 1998.
Haeberli, W., Hallet, B., Arenson, L., Elconin, R., Humlun, O., Kaab, A.,
Kaufmann, V., Ladanyi, B., Matsuoka, N., Springman, S., and Von der Mühll, D.: Permafrost creep and rock glacier dynamics, Permafrost Periglac., 17, 189–214, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.561, 2006.
Harrington, J. S., Hayashi, M., and Kurylyk, B. L.: Influence of a rock
glacier spring on the stream energy budget and cold-water refuge in an
alpine stream, Hydrol. Process., 31, 4719–4733, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.11391, 2017.
Harrington, J. S., Mozil, A., Hayashi, M., and Bentley, L. R.: Groundwater
flow and storage processes in an inactive rock glacier, Hydrol. Process., 32,
3070–3088, 2018.
Hauck, C.: New Concepts in Geophysical Surveying and Data Interpretation for
Permafrost Terrain, Permafrost Periglac., 24, 131–137, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1774, 2013.
Hauck, C. and Kneisel, C.: Applied Geophysics in Periglacial Environments,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 256 pp., 2008.
Hauck, C., Böttcher, M., and Maurer, H.: A new model for estimating subsurface ice content based on combined electrical and seismic data sets, The Cryosphere, 5, 453–468, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-453-2011, 2011.
Hausmann, H., Krainer, K., Bruckl, E., and Mostler, W.: Internal structure
and ice content of reichenkar rock glacier (Stubai Alps, Austria) assessed
by geophysical investigations, Permafrost Periglac., 18,
351–367, https://doi.org/10.1002/Ppp.601, 2007.
Heredia, N., Rodrıìguez Fernández, L. R., Gallastegui, G., Busquets,
P., and Colombo, F.: Geological setting of the Argentine Frontal Cordillera
in the flat-slab segment (30∘00′–31∘30′ S latitude), J. S. Am. Earth Sci., 15, 79–99, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-9811(02)00007-X, 2002.
Heredia, N., Farias, P., García-Sansegundo, J., and Giambiagi, L.: The
basement of the Andean Frontal Cordillera in the Cordón del Plata
(Mendoza, Argentina): Geodynamic evolution, Andean. Geol., 39, 242–257,
https://doi.org/10.5027/andgeoV39n2-a03, 2012.
Hilbich, C.: Time-lapse refraction seismic tomography for the detection of ground ice degradation, The Cryosphere, 4, 243–259, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-4-243-2010, 2010.
Hilbich, C., Hauck, C., Hoelzle, M., Scherler, M., Schudel, L., Voelksch,
I., Muehll, D. V., and Maeusbacher, R.: Monitoring mountain permafrost
evolution using electrical resistivity tomography: A 7-year study of
seasonal, annual, and long-term variations at Schilthorn, Swiss Alps, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 113, F01S90, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007jf000799, 2008.
Hilbich, C., Marescot, L., Hauck, C., Loke, M. H., and Mäusbacher, R.:
Applicability of electrical resistivity tomography monitoring to coarse
blocky and ice-rich permafrost landforms, Permafrost Periglac., 20, 269–284, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.652, 2009.
IANIGLA: Data provided by Instituto Argentino de Nivología,
Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales (IANIGLA), “Agua Negra” and
“Diaguita” meteorological stations, available at: http://bdhi.hidricosargentina.gob.ar (last access: 21 January 2020), 2019.
IANIGLA: Inventario Nacional de Glaciares, Informe de la subcuenca río
Blanco Superior, Cuenca del río Jáchal, IANIGLA-CONICET, Ministerio
de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable de la Nación, Argentina, 65 pp., 2018.
Ikeda, A.: Combination of conventional geophysical methods for sounding the
composition of rock glaciers in the Swiss Alps, Permafrost Periglac., 17, 35–48, https://doi.org/10.1002/Ppp.550, 2006.
Ikeda, A., Matsuoka, N., and Kaab, A.: Fast deformation of perennially
frozen debris in a warm rock glacier in the Swiss Alps: An effect of liquid
water, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 113, F01021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007jf000859, 2008.
Jones, D. B., Harrison, S., Anderson, K., and Betts, R. A.: Mountain rock
glaciers contain globally significant water stores, Sci. Rep.-UK, 8, 2834, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21244-w, 2018a.
Jones, D. B., Harrison, S., Anderson, K., Selley, H. L., Wood, J. L., and
Betts, R. A.: The distribution and hydrological significance of rock
glaciers in the Nepalese Himalaya, Global Planet. Change, 160, 123–142, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2017.11.005, 2018b.
Jones, D. B., Harrison, S., Anderson, K., and Whalley, W. B.: Rock glaciers
and mountain hydrology: A review, Earth-Sci. Rev., 193, 66–90, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2019.04.001, 2019.
Kääb, A. and Weber, M.: Development of transverse ridges on rock
glaciers: Field measurements and laboratory experiments, Permafrost Periglac., 15, 379–391, 2004.
Kääb, A., Haeberli, W., and Gudmundsson, G. H.: Analysing the creep
of mountain permafrost using high precision aerial photogrammetry: 25 years
of monitoring Gruben Rock Glacier, Swiss Alps, Permafrost Periglac., 8, 409–426, 1997.
Kääb, A., Gudmundsson, G. H., and Hoelzle, M.: Surface deformation
of creeping mountain permafrost, Photogrammetric investigations on rock
glacier Murtèl, Swiss Alps,
in: Collection Nordicana, 7th International Conference on Permafrost, 23–27 June 1998, edited by: Lewkowicz, A. G., and Allard, M., Université Laval, Yellowknife, Canada, 531–537, 1998.
Kääb, A., Kaufmann, V., Ladstädter, R., and Eiken, T.: Rock
glacier dynamics: Implications from high-resolution measurements of surface
velocity fields, Permafrost. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Permafrost, 21–25 July 2003, Zurich, Switzerland, edited by: Phillips, M., Springman, S. M. and Arenson, L. U., A.A. Balkema, Lisse, 501–506, 2003.
Kääb, A., Frauenfelder, R., and Roer, I.: On the response of
rockglacier creep to surface temperature increase, Global Planet. Change, 56,
172–187, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2006.07.005, 2007.
Kenner, R., Phillips, M., Beutel, J., Hiller, M., Limpach, P., Pointner, E.,
and Volken, M.: Factors Controlling Velocity Variations at Short-Term,
Seasonal and Multiyear Time Scales, Ritigraben Rock Glacier, Western Swiss
Alps, Permafrost Periglac., 28, 675–684, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1953,
2017.
Kenner, R., Pruessner, L., Beutel, J., Limpach, P., and Phillips, M.: How
rock glacier hydrology, deformation velocities and ground temperatures
interact: Examples from the Swiss Alps, Permafrost Periglac., 31, 3–14, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2023, 2020.
King, M. S., Zimmerman, R. W., and Corwin, R. F.: Seismic and Electrical
Properties of Unconsolidated Permafrost, Geophys. Prospect., 36, 349–364, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2478.1988.tb02168.x, 1988.
Konrad, S. K., Humphrey, N. F., Steig, E. J., Clark, D. H., Potter Jr., N.,
and Pfeffer, W. T.: Rock glacier dynamics and paleoclimatic implications,
Geology, 27, 1131–1134, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<1131:rgdapi>2.3.co;2, 1999.
Krainer, K. and Mostler, W.: Hydrology of active rock glaciers: Examples
from the Austrian Alps, Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res., 34, 142–149, https://doi.org/10.2307/1552465, 2002.
Krainer, K., Mostler, W., and Spötl, C.: Discharge from active rock
glaciers, Austrian Alps: a stable isotope approach, Austrian J. Earth Sci.,
100, 102–112, 2007.
Krainer, K., Bressan, D., Dietre, B., Haas, J. N., Hajdas, I., Lang, K.,
Mair, V., Nickus, U., Reidl, D., Thies, H., and Tonidandel, D.: A
10 300-year-old permafrost core from the active rock glacier Lazaun,
southern Ötztal Alps (South Tyrol, northern Italy), Quaternary Res., 83,
324–335, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2014.12.005, 2017.
Krautblatter, M. and Draebing, D.: Pseudo 3D P wave refraction seismic
monitoring of permafrost in steep unstable bedrock,
J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 119, 287–299, https://doi.org/10.1002/2012jf002638, 2014.
Kummert, M., Delaloye, R., and Braillard, L.: Erosion and sediment transfer
processes at the front of rapidly moving rock glaciers: Systematic
observations with automatic cameras in the western Swiss Alps, Permafrost Periglac., 29, 21–33, 2018.
Langston, G., Bentley, L. R., Hayashi, M., McClymont, A., and Pidlisecky,
A.: Internal structure and hydrological functions of an alpine proglacial
moraine, Hydrol. Process., 25, 2967–2982, https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.8144, 2011.
Lecomte, K. L., Milana, J. P., Formica, S. M., and Depetris, P. J.:
Hydrochemical appraisal of ice- and rock-glacier meltwater in the hyperarid
Agua Negra drainage basin, Andes of Argentina, Hydrol. Process., 22,
2180–2195, https://doi.org/10.1002/Hyp.6816, 2008.
Loke, M. H.: Tutorial : 2D and 3D electrical imaging surveys, Geotomo Software, Malaysia, 2018.
Luethi, R., Phillips, M., and Lehning, M.: Estimating Non-Conductive Heat
Flow Leading to Intra-Permafrost Talik Formation at the Ritigraben Rock
Glacier (Western Swiss Alps), Permafrost Periglac., 28,
183–194, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1911, 2017.
Malmros, J. K., Mernild, S. H., Wilson, R., Tagesson, T., and Fensholt, R.:
Snow cover and snow albedo changes in the central Andes of Chile and
Argentina from daily MODIS observations (2000–2016), Remote Sens. Environ.,
209, 240–252, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2018.02.072, 2018.
Marescot, L., Loke, M., Chapellier, D., Delaloye, R., Lambiel, C., and
Reynard, E.: Assessing reliability of 2D resistivity imaging in mountain
permafrost studies using the depth of investigation index method,
Near Surf. Geophys., 1, 57–67, 2003.
Marmy, A., Rajczak, J., Delaloye, R., Hilbich, C., Hoelzle, M., Kotlarski, S., Lambiel, C., Noetzli, J., Phillips, M., Salzmann, N., Staub, B., and Hauck, C.: Semi-automated calibration method for modelling of mountain permafrost evolution in Switzerland, The Cryosphere, 10, 2693–2719, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-2693-2016, 2016.
Maurer, H. and Hauck, C.: Instruments and methods – Geophysical imaging of
alpine rock glaciers, J. Glaciol., 53, 110–120, https://doi.org/10.3189/172756507781833893, 2007.
McClymont, A. F., Hayashi, M., Bentley, L. R., Muir, D., and Ernst, E.: Groundwater flow and storage within an alpine meadow-talus complex, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 14, 859–872, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-859-2010, 2010.
McClymont, A. F., Hayashi, M., Bentley, L. R., and Liard, J.: Locating and
characterising groundwater storage areas within an alpine watershed using
time-lapse gravity, GPR and seismic refraction methods, Hydrol. Process., 26,
1792–1804, https://doi.org/10.1002/Hyp.9316, 2012.
Mewes, B., Hilbich, C., Delaloye, R., and Hauck, C.: Resolution capacity of geophysical monitoring regarding permafrost degradation induced by hydrological processes, The Cryosphere, 11, 2957–2974, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2957-2017, 2017.
Milana, J. P. and Maturano, A.: Application of Radio Echo Sounding at the
arid Andes of Argentina: the Agua Negra Glacier, Global Planet. Change, 22,
179–191, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8181(99)00035-1, 1999.
Mollaret, C., Hilbich, C., Pellet, C., Flores-Orozco, A., Delaloye, R., and Hauck, C.: Mountain permafrost degradation documented through a network of permanent electrical resistivity tomography sites, The Cryosphere, 13, 2557–2578, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2557-2019, 2019.
Mollaret, C., Wagner, F. M., Hilbich, C., Scapozza, C., and Hauck, C.:
Petrophysical Joint Inversion Applied to Alpine Permafrost Field Sites to
Image Subsurface Ice, Water, Air, and Rock Contents, Front. Earth Sci., 8, 1–25, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00085, 2020.
Monnier, S. and Kinnard, C.: Internal structure and composition of a rock
glacier in the Andes (upper Choapa valley, Chile) using borehole information
and ground-penetrating radar, Ann. Glaciol., 54, 61–72, https://doi.org/10.3189/2013aog64a107, 2013.
Mosbrucker, A. R., Major, J. J., Spicer, K. R., and Pitlick, J.: Camera
system considerations for geomorphic applications of SfM photogrammetry, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 42, 969–986, 2017.
Musil, M., Maurer, H., Green, A. G., Horstmeyer, H., Nitsche, F. O., Von der Mühll, D., and Springman, S.: Shallow seismic surveying of an Alpine rock glacier, Geophysics, 67, 1701–1710, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1527071, 2002.
Otto, J. C. and Sass, O.: Comparing geophysical methods for talus slope
investigations in the Turtmann valley (Swiss Alps), Geomorphology, 76,
257–272, 2006.
Pellet, C., Hilbich, C., Marmy, A., and Hauck, C.: Soil Moisture Data for
the Validation of Permafrost Models Using Direct and Indirect Measurement
Approaches at Three Alpine Sites, Front. Earth Sci., 3, 1–21, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2015.00091, 2016.
Rangecroft, S., Harrison, S., and Anderson, K.: Rock Glaciers as Water
Stores in the Bolivian Andes: An Assessment of Their Hydrological
Importance, Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res., 47, 89–98, https://doi.org/10.1657/AAAR0014-029, 2015.
Rangecroft, S., Suggitt, A. J., Anderson, K., and Harrison, S.: Future
climate warming and changes to mountain permafrost in the Bolivian Andes,
Climatic Change, 137, 231–243, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-016-1655-8, 2016.
Rogger, M., Chirico, G. B., Hausmann, H., Krainer, K., Brückl, E.,
Stadler, P., and Blöschl, G.: Impact of mountain permafrost on flow path
and runoff response in a high alpine catchment, Water Resour. Res., 53,
1288–1308, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016WR019341, 2017.
Saavedra, F. A., Kampf, S. K., Fassnacht, S. R., and Sibold, J. S.: Changes in Andes snow cover from MODIS data, 2000–2016, The Cryosphere, 12, 1027–1046, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1027-2018, 2018.
Sandmeier, K. J.: REFLEXW, Version 8.0, Windows™ XP/7/8/10-program for the processing of seismic, acoustic or electromagnetic reflection, refraction and transmission data, Karlsruhe, Germany, 2016.
Schaffer, N., MacDonell, S., Réveillet, M., Yáñez, E., and
Valois, R.: Rock glaciers as a water resource in a changing climate in the
semiarid Chilean Andes, Reg. Environ. Change, 19, 1263–1279, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-018-01459-3, 2019.
Scherler, M., Hauck, C., Hoelzle, M., Stahli, M., and Volksch, I.: Meltwater
Infiltration into the Frozen Active Layer at an Alpine Permafrost Site,
Permafrost Periglac., 21, 325–334, https://doi.org/10.1002/Ppp.694, 2010.
Scherler, M., Hauck, C., Hoelzle, M., and Salzmann, N.: Modeled sensitivity
of two alpine permafrost sites to RCM-based climate scenarios, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 118, 780–794, https://doi.org/10.1002/Jgrf.20069, 2013.
Schneider, S., Daengeli, S., Hauck, C., and Hoelzle, M.: A spatial and temporal analysis of different periglacial materials by using geoelectrical, seismic and borehole temperature data at Murtèl–Corvatsch, Upper Engadin, Swiss Alps, Geogr. Helv., 68, 265–280, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-68-265-2013, 2013.
Schön, J.: Physical properties of rocks: A workbook, Elsevier, Oxford, 481 pp., 2011.
Schrott, L.: Global solar radiation, soil temperature and permafrost in the
Central Andes, Argentina: A progress report, Permafrost Periglac., 2, 59–66, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.3430020110, 1991.
Schrott, L.: Die Solarstrahlung als steuernder Faktor im Geosystem der
subtropischen semiariden Hochanden (Agua Negra, San Juan, Argentinien), Dissertation, Geographisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany, 199 pp., 1994.
Schrott, L.: Some geomorphological-hydrological aspects of rock glaciers in
the Andes (San Juan, Argentina),
Z. Geomorphol. Supp., 104, 161–173, 1996.
Schrott, L.: The hydrological significance of high mountain permafrost and
its relation to solar radiation, A case study in the high Andes of San Juan,
Argentina, Bamberger Geographische Schriften, 15, 71–84, 1998.
Schrott, L. and Hoffmann, T.: Refraction seismics, in: Applied Geophysics in
Periglacial Environments, edited by: Hauck, C. and Kneisel, C., Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, UK, 256 pp., 2008.
Schwalbe, E. and Maas, H. G.: The determination of high-resolution
spatio-temporal glacier motion fields from time-lapse sequences,
Earth Surf. Dynam., 5, 861–879, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-861-2017, 2017.
Tapia-Baldis, C. and Trombotto-Liaudat, D.: Permafrost model in
coarse-blocky deposits for the Dry Andes, Argentina (28–33∘ S), Cuadernos de Investigación Geográfica, 46, 33–58, https://doi.org/10.18172/cig.3802, 2020.
Timur, A.: Velocity of Compressional Waves in Porous Media at Permafrost
Temperatures, Geophysics, 33, 584, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1439954, 1968.
Trombotto, D. and Borzotta, E.: Indicators of present global warming through
changes in active layer-thickness, estimation of thermal diffusivity and
geomorphological observations in the Morenas Coloradas rockglacier, Central
Andes of Mendoza, Argentina, Cold Reg. Sci. Technol., 55, 321–330,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2008.08.009, 2009.
Trombotto, D., Buk, E., and Hernández, J.: Rock glaciers in the Southern
Central Andes (approx. 33–34S), Cordillera Frontal, Mendoza, Argentina,
Bamberger Geographische Schriften, 19, 145–173, 1999.
Wheaton, J. M., Brasington, J., Darby, S. E., and Sear, D. A.: Accounting
for uncertainty in DEMs from repeat topographic surveys: improved sediment
budgets, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 35, 136–156, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1886, 2010.
Williams, M. W., Knauf, M., Caine, N., Liu, F., and Verplanck, P. L.:
Geochemistry and source waters of rock glacier outflow, Colorado Front
Range, Permafrost Periglac., 17, 13–33, https://doi.org/10.1002/Ppp.535, 2006.
Wirz, V., Gruber, S., Purves, R. S., Beutel, J., Gartner-Roer, I., Gubler,
S., and Vieli, A.: Short-term velocity variations at three rock glaciers and
their relationship with meteorological conditions, Earth Surf. Dynam., 4,
103–123, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-103-2016, 2016.
Short summary
In the semi-arid to arid Andes of Argentina, rock glaciers contain invisible and unknown amounts of ground ice that could become more important in future for the water availability during the dry season. The study shows that the investigated rock glacier represents an important long-term ice reservoir in the dry mountain catchment and that interannual changes of ground ice can store and release significant amounts of annual precipitation.
In the semi-arid to arid Andes of Argentina, rock glaciers contain invisible and unknown amounts...
