A climate-driven, altitudinal transition in rock glacier dynamics detected through integration of geomorphological mapping and synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR)-based kinematics
Aldo Bertone,Nina Jones,Volkmar Mair,Riccardo Scotti,Tazio Strozzi,and Francesco Brardinoni
Aldo Bertone
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
Nina Jones
Gamma Remote Sensing, Gümligen, 3073, Switzerland
Volkmar Mair
Ufficio Geologia e Prove Materiali, Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano, Cardano, 39053, Italy
Riccardo Scotti
Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo, La Valletta Brianza, 23888, Italy
Traditional inventories display high uncertainty in 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 a.s.l., which we regard as a signature of sporadic-to-discontinuous permafrost transition.
Traditional inventories display high uncertainty in discriminating between intact...