Articles | Volume 18, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-2335-2024
© Author(s) 2024. 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-18-2335-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
08 May 2024
Research article |
| 08 May 2024
| 08 May 2024
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
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
Tazio Strozzi
Gamma Remote Sensing, Gümligen, 3073, Switzerland
Francesco Brardinoni
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
Related authors
No articles found.
Line Rouyet, Tobias Bolch, Francesco Brardinoni, Rafael Caduff, Diego Cusicanqui, Margaret Darrow, Reynald Delaloye, Thomas Echelard, Christophe Lambiel, Cécile Pellet, Lucas Ruiz, Lea Schmid, Flavius Sirbu, and Tazio Strozzi
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 4125–4157, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4125-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4125-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Rock glaciers are landforms generated by the creep of frozen ground (permafrost) in cold-climate mountains. Mapping rock glaciers contributes to documenting the distribution and the dynamics of mountain permafrost. We compiled inventories documenting the location, the characteristics, and the extent of rock glaciers in 12 mountain regions around the world. In each region, a team of operators performed the work following common rules and agreed on final solutions when discrepancies were identified.
Andrea Manconi, Gwendolyn Dasser, Mylène Jacquemart, Nicolas Oestreicher, Livia Piermattei, and Tazio Strozzi
Abstr. Int. Cartogr. Assoc., 9, 41, https://doi.org/10.5194/ica-abs-9-41-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ica-abs-9-41-2025, 2025
Barbara Widhalm, Annett Bartsch, Tazio Strozzi, Nina Jones, Artem Khomutov, Elena Babkina, Marina Leibman, Rustam Khairullin, Mathias Göckede, Helena Bergstedt, Clemens von Baeckmann, and Xaver Muri
The Cryosphere, 19, 1103–1133, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1103-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1103-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Mapping soil moisture in Arctic permafrost regions is crucial for various activities, but it is challenging with typical satellite methods due to the landscape's diversity. Seasonal freezing and thawing cause the ground to periodically rise and subside. Our research demonstrates that this seasonal ground settlement, measured with Sentinel-1 satellite data, is larger in areas with wetter soils. This method helps to monitor permafrost degradation.
Alexandru Onaca, Flavius Sirbu, Valentin Poncos, Christin Hilbich, Tazio Strozzi, Petru Urdea, Răzvan Popescu, Oana Berzescu, Bernd Etzelmüller, Alfred Vespremeanu-Stroe, Mirela Vasile, Delia Teleagă, Dan Birtaș, Iosif Lopătiță, Simon Filhol, Alexandru Hegyi, and Florina Ardelean
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3262, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3262, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study establishes a methodology for the study of slow-moving rock glaciers in marginal permafrost and provides the basic knowledge for understanding rock glaciers in south east Europe. By using a combination of different methods (remote sensing, geophysical survey, thermal measurements), we found out that, on the transitional rock glaciers, low ground ice content (i.e. below 20 %) produces horizontal displacements of up to 3 cm per year.
Chiara Crippa, Stefan Steger, Giovanni Cuozzo, Francesca Bearzot, Volkmar Mair, and Claudia Notarnicola
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1511, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1511, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Our study, focused on South Tyrol (NE Italy), develops an updated and comprehensive activity classification system for all rock glaciers in the current regional inventory. Using multisource products, we integrate climatic, morphological and DInSAR data in replicable routines and multivariate statistical methods producing a comprehensive classification based on the updated RGIK 2023 guidelines. Results leave only 3.5% of the features non-classified respect to the 13–18.5% of the previous studies.
Luca Carturan, Fabrizio De Blasi, Roberto Dinale, Gianfranco Dragà, Paolo Gabrielli, Volkmar Mair, Roberto Seppi, David Tonidandel, Thomas Zanoner, Tiziana Lazzarina Zendrini, and Giancarlo Dalla Fontana
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 4661–4688, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-4661-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-4661-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents a new dataset of air, englacial, soil surface and rock wall temperatures collected between 2010 and 2016 on Mt Ortles, which is the highest summit of South Tyrol, Italy. Details are provided on instrument type and characteristics, field methods, and data quality control and assessment. The obtained data series are available through an open data repository. This is a rare dataset from a summit area lacking observations on permafrost and glaciers and their climatic response.
Chiara Montemagni, Stefano Zanchetta, Martina Rocca, Igor M. Villa, Corrado Morelli, Volkmar Mair, and Andrea Zanchi
Solid Earth, 14, 551–570, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-551-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-14-551-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The Vinschgau Shear Zone (VSZ) is one of the largest and most significant shear zones developed within the Late Cretaceous thrust stack in the Austroalpine domain of the eastern Alps. 40Ar / 39Ar geochronology constrains the activity of the VSZ between 97 and 80 Ma. The decreasing vorticity towards the core of the shear zone, coupled with the younging of mylonites, points to a shear thinning behavior. The deepest units of the Eo-Alpine orogenic wedge were exhumed along the VSZ.
Stefan Steger, Mateo Moreno, Alice Crespi, Peter James Zellner, Stefano Luigi Gariano, Maria Teresa Brunetti, Massimo Melillo, Silvia Peruccacci, Francesco Marra, Robin Kohrs, Jason Goetz, Volkmar Mair, and Massimiliano Pittore
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 1483–1506, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1483-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-1483-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We present a novel data-driven modelling approach to determine season-specific critical precipitation conditions for landslide occurrence. It is shown that the amount of precipitation required to trigger a landslide in South Tyrol varies from season to season. In summer, a higher amount of preparatory precipitation is required to trigger a landslide, probably due to denser vegetation and higher temperatures. We derive dynamic thresholds that directly relate to hit rates and false-alarm rates.
Alessandro Cicoira, Samuel Weber, Andreas Biri, Ben Buchli, Reynald Delaloye, Reto Da Forno, Isabelle Gärtner-Roer, Stephan Gruber, Tonio Gsell, Andreas Hasler, Roman Lim, Philippe Limpach, Raphael Mayoraz, Matthias Meyer, Jeannette Noetzli, Marcia Phillips, Eric Pointner, Hugo Raetzo, Cristian Scapozza, Tazio Strozzi, Lothar Thiele, Andreas Vieli, Daniel Vonder Mühll, Vanessa Wirz, and Jan Beutel
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 5061–5091, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-5061-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-5061-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This paper documents a monitoring network of 54 positions, located on different periglacial landforms in the Swiss Alps: rock glaciers, landslides, and steep rock walls. The data serve basic research but also decision-making and mitigation of natural hazards. It is the largest dataset of its kind, comprising over 209 000 daily positions and additional weather data.
Aldo Bertone, Chloé Barboux, Xavier Bodin, Tobias Bolch, Francesco Brardinoni, Rafael Caduff, Hanne H. Christiansen, Margaret M. Darrow, Reynald Delaloye, Bernd Etzelmüller, Ole Humlum, Christophe Lambiel, Karianne S. Lilleøren, Volkmar Mair, Gabriel Pellegrinon, Line Rouyet, Lucas Ruiz, and Tazio Strozzi
The Cryosphere, 16, 2769–2792, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2769-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2769-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present the guidelines developed by the IPA Action Group and within the ESA Permafrost CCI project to include InSAR-based kinematic information in rock glacier inventories. Nine operators applied these guidelines to 11 regions worldwide; more than 3600 rock glaciers are classified according to their kinematics. We test and demonstrate the feasibility of applying common rules to produce homogeneous kinematic inventories at global scale, useful for hydrological and climate change purposes.
Frank Paul, Livia Piermattei, Désirée Treichler, Lin Gilbert, Luc Girod, Andreas Kääb, Ludivine Libert, Thomas Nagler, Tazio Strozzi, and Jan Wuite
The Cryosphere, 16, 2505–2526, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2505-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2505-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Glacier surges are widespread in the Karakoram and have been intensely studied using satellite data and DEMs. We use time series of such datasets to study three glacier surges in the same region of the Karakoram. We found strongly contrasting advance rates and flow velocities, maximum velocities of 30 m d−1, and a change in the surge mechanism during a surge. A sensor comparison revealed good agreement, but steep terrain and the two smaller glaciers caused limitations for some of them.
Tazio Strozzi, Andreas Wiesmann, Andreas Kääb, Thomas Schellenberger, and Frank Paul
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-44, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2022-44, 2022
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Knowledge on surface velocity of glaciers and ice caps contributes to a better understanding of a wide range of processes related to glacier dynamics, mass change and response to climate. Based on the release of historical satellite radar data from various space agencies we compiled nearly complete mosaics of winter ice surface velocities for the 1990's over the Eastern Arctic. Compared to the present state, we observe a general increase of ice velocities along with a retreat of glacier fronts.
Andreas Kääb, Tazio Strozzi, Tobias Bolch, Rafael Caduff, Håkon Trefall, Markus Stoffel, and Alexander Kokarev
The Cryosphere, 15, 927–949, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-927-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-927-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We present a map of rock glacier motion over parts of the northern Tien Shan and time series of surface speed for six of them over almost 70 years.
This is by far the most detailed investigation of this kind available for central Asia.
We detect a 2- to 4-fold increase in rock glacier motion between the 1950s and present, which we attribute to atmospheric warming.
Relative to the shrinking glaciers in the region, this implies increased importance of periglacial sediment transport.
Cited articles
Amschwand, D., Ivy-Ochs, S., Frehner, M., Steinemann, O., Christl, M., and Vockenhuber, C.: Deciphering the evolution of the Bleis Marscha rock glacier (Val d'Err, eastern Switzerland) with cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating, aerial image correlation, and finite element modeling, The Cryosphere, 15, 2057–2081, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2057-2021, 2021.
Azócar, G. F. and Brenning, A.: Hydrological and geomorphological significance of rock glaciers in the Dry Andes, Chile (27°–33° S), Permafr. Periglac. Process., 21, 42–53, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2021.103471, 2010.
Bamler, R. and Hartl, P.: Synthetic aperture radar interferometry, Inverse Probl., 14, R1–R54, https://doi.org/10.1088/0266-5611/14/4/001, 1998.
Barboux, C., Delaloye, R., and Lambiel, C.: Inventorying slope movements in an Alpine environment using DInSAR, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 39, 2087–2099, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3603, 2014.
Barsch, D.: Permafrost creep and rockglaciers, Permafr. Periglac. Process., 3, 175–188, https://doi.org/10.1002/PPP.3430030303, 1992.
Barsch, D.: Rockglaciers: Indicators for the Permafrost and Former Geoecology in High Mountain Environment, Series in the Physical Environment, 16. Springer Verlag, 331 pp., https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-80093-1, 1996.
Bertone, A., Zucca, F., Marin, C., Notarnicola, C., Cuozzo, G., Krainer, K., Mair, V., Riccardi, P., Callegari, M., and Seppi, R.: An Unsupervised Method to Detect Rock Glacier Activity by Using Sentinel-1 SAR Interferometric Coherence: A Regional-Scale Study in the Eastern European Alps, Remote Sens., 11, 1711, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11141711, 2019.
Bertone, A., Barboux, C., Bodin, X., Bolch, T., Brardinoni, F., Caduff, R., Christiansen, H. H., Darrow, M. M., Delaloye, R., Etzelmüller, B., Humlum, O., Lambiel, C., Lilleøren, K. S., Mair, V., Pellegrinon, G., Rouyet, L., Ruiz, L., and Strozzi, T.: Incorporating InSAR kinematics into rock glacier inventories: insights from 11 regions worldwide, The Cryosphere, 16, 2769–2792, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2769-2022, 2022.
Bertone, A., Seppi, R., Callegari, M., Cuozzo, G., Dematteis, N., Krainer, K., Marin, C., Notarnicola, C., and Zucca, F.: Unprecedented observation of hourly rock glacier velocity with ground-based SAR, Geophys. Res. Lett., 50, e2023GL102796, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL102796, 2023.
Bodin, X., Thibert, E., Fabre, D., Ribolini, A., Schoeneich, P., Francou, B., Reynaud, L., and Fort, M.: Two decades of responses (1986–2006) to climate by the Laurichard Rock Glacier, French Alps, Permafr. Periglac. Process., 344, 331–344, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.665, 2009.
Boeckli, L., Brenning, A., Gruber, S., and Noetzli, J.: Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics, The Cryosphere, 6, 807–820, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-807-2012, 2012.
Bolch, T., Menounos, B., and Wheate, R.: Landsat-based inventory of glaciers in western Canada, 1985–2005, Remote Sens. Environ., 114, 127–137, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2009.08.015, 2010.
Bollmann, E., Girstmair, A., Mitterer, S., Krainer, K., Sailer, R., and Stötter, J.: A rock glacier activity index based on rock glacier thickness changes and displacement rates derived from airborne laser scanning, Permafr. Periglac. Process., 26, 347–359, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1852, 2015.
Brardinoni, F., Scotti, R., Sailer, R., and Mair, V.: Evaluating sources of uncertainty and variability in rock glacier inventories, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 44, 2450–2466, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4674, 2019.
Brencher, G., Handwerger, A. L., and Munroe, J. S.: InSAR-based characterization of rock glacier movement in the Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA, The Cryosphere, 15, 4823–4844, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-4823-2021, 2021.
Crosetto, M., Monserrat, O., Bremmer, C., Hanssen, R., Capes, R., and Marsh, S.: Ground motion monitoring using SAR interferometry: Quality assessment, Eur. Geol., 26, 12–15, 2009.
Delaloye, R. and Staub, B.: Seasonal variations of rock glacier creep: time series observations from the Western Swiss Alps, in: XI. International Conference On Permafrost – Book of Abstracts, edited by: Günther, F. and Morgenstern, A., Potsdam, Germany, Bibliothek Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein, 20–24 June 2016, 22–23, https://bigweb.unifr.ch/Science/Geosciences/Geomorphology/Pub/Website/Papers/Delaloye_and_Staub_(2016)_ICOP_Abstract_Seasonnal_variations_of_rock_glacier_creep.pdf (last access: 31 July 2023), 2016.
Delaloye, R., Perruchoud, E., Avian, M., Kaufmann, V., Bodin, X., Hausmann, H., Ikeda, A., Kääb, A., Kellerer-Pirklbauer, A., Krainer, K., Lambiel, C., Mihajlovic, D., Staub, B., Roer, I., and Thibert, E.: Recent interannual variations of rock glacier creep in the European Alps. In: 9th International Conference on Permafrost, Fairbanks, Alaska, 29 June 2008–3 July 2008, 343–348, https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-7031, 2008.
Draebing, D., Mayer, T., Jacobs, B., and McColl, S.T.: Alpine rockwall erosion patterns follow elevation-dependent climate trajectories, Commun. Earth Environ., 3, 21, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-022-00348-2, 2022.
Falaschi, D., Tadono, T., and Masiokas, M.: Rock glaciers in the patagonian andes: an inventory for the monte san lorenzo (cerro cochrane) massif, 47° S, Geogr. Ann. Ser. A, 97, 769–777, https://doi.org/10.1111/geoa.12113, 2015.
Fey, C. and Krainer, K.: Analyses of UAV and GNSS based flow velocity variations of the rock glacier Lazaun (Ötztal Alps, South Tyrol, Italy), Geomorphology, 365, 107261, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107261, 2020.
Frattini, P., Riva, F., Crosta, G. B., Scotti, R., Greggio, L., Brardinoni, F., and Fusi, N.: Rock-avalanche geomorphological and hydrological impact on an alpine watershed, Geomorphology 262, 47–60, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.03.013, 2016.
Frauenfelder, R., Haeberli, W., Hoelzle, M., and Maisch, M.: Using relict rock-glaciers in GIS-based modelling to reconstruct Younger Dryas permafrost distribution patterns in the Err-Julier area, Swiss Alps, Norw. J. Geogr., 55, 195–202, https://doi.org/10.1080/00291950152746522, 2001.
Frei, C.: Interpolation of temperature in a mountainous region using nonlinear profiles and non-Euclidean distances, Int. J. Climatol., 34, 1585–1605, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.3786, 2014.
Haeberli, W.: Permafrost-glacier relationships in the Swiss Alps-today and in the past, in: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Permafrost, Nat. Ac. Press Fairbanks, AK, USA, 415–420, 1983.
Haeberli, W.: Creep of mountain permafrost: internal structure and flow of Alpine rock glaciers, Mitteilungen der Versuchsanstalt fur Wasserbau, Hydrologie und Glaziologie an der ETH Zurich, 77, 5–142, https://ethz.ch/content/dam/ethz/special-interest/baug/vaw/vaw-dam/documents/das-institut/mitteilungen/1980-1989/077.pdf (last access: 31 July 2023), 1985.
Haeberli, W., Alean, J. C., Müller, P., and Funk, M.: Assessing risks from glacier hazards in high mountain regions: some experiences in the Swiss Alps, Ann. Glac., 13, 96–102, https://doi.org/10.3189/S0260305500007709, 1989.
Haeberli, W., Hallet, B., Arenson, L., Elconin, R,, Humlum, O., Kääb, A., Kaufmann, V., Ladanyi, B., Matsuoka, N., Springman, S., and Vonder, M. D.: Permafrost creep and rock glacier dynamics, Permafr. Periglac. Process., 17, 189–214, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.561, 2006.
Harris, C., Arenson, L. U., Christiansen, H. H., Etzelmüller, B., Frauenfelder, R., Gruber, S., Haeberli, W., Hauck, C., Hölzle, M., Humlum, O., Isaksen, K., Kääb, A., Lehning, M., Lütschg, M. A., Matsuoka, N., Murton, J. B., Nötzli, J., Phillips, M., Ross, N., Seppälä, M., Springman, S. M., and Vonder, M. D.: Permafrost and climate in Europe: geomorphological impacts, hazard assessment and geotechnical response, Earth-Sci. Rev., 92, 117–171, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2008.12.002, 2009.
Hiebl, J. and Frei, C.: Daily temperature grids for Austria since 1961 – concept, creation and applicability, Theor. Appl. Climatol., 124, 161–178, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-015-1411-4, 2016.
Huggel, C., Carey, M., Clague, J. J., and Kaab, A.: The High-Mountain Cryosphere, in: Environmental changes and human risks, Cambridge University Press, 363 pp., https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107588653, 2015.
Imhof, M.: Modelling and verification of the permafrost distribution in the Bernese Alps (Western Switzerland), Permafr. Periglac. Process., 7, 267–280, https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1530(199609)7:3<267::AID-PPP221>3.0.CO;2-L, 1996.
Johnson, G., Chang, H., and Fountain, A.: Active rock glaciers of the contiguous United States: geographic information system inventory and spatial distribution patterns, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 3979–3994, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-3979-2021, 2021.
Jones, D. B., Harrison, S., Anderson, K., and Betts, R. A.: Mountain rock glaciers contain globally significant water stores, Sci. Rep., 8, 2834, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21244-w, 2018.
Keim, L., Mair, V., and Morelli, C.: Inquadramento geologico regionale, in: Carta Geologica dell'Alto Adige, guida ai percorsi geologici Foglio 026 Appiano, LAC Firenze, https://maps.civis.bz.it/ (last access: 25 July 2023), 2013.
Kellerer-Pirklbauer, A., Delaloye, R., Lambiel, C., Gärtner-Roer, I., Kaufmann, V., Scapozza, C., Krainer, K., Staub, B., Thibert, E., Bodin, X., Fischer, A., Hartl, L., Morra di Cella, U., Mair, V., Marcer, M., and Schoeneich, P.: Interannual variability of rock glacier flow velocities in the European Alps, in: 5th European Conference on Permafrost, edited by: Deline, P., Bodin, X., and Ravanel, L., June 2018, Chamonix, France, Book of Abstract, Edytem, 396–397, https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01816115v1/, 2018.
Kellerer-Pirklbauer, A., Bodin, X., Delaloye, R., Lambiel, C., Gartner-Roer, I., Bonnefoy-Demongeot, M., Carturan, L., Damm, B., Eulenstein, J., Fischer, A., Hartl, L., Ikeda, A., Kaufmann, V., Krainer, K., Matsuoka, N., Morra Di Cella, U., Noetzli, J., Seppi, R., Scapozza, C., Schoeneich, P., Stocker-Waldhube, M., Thibert, E., and Zumiani, M.: Acceleration and interannual variability of creep rates in mountain permafrost landforms (rock glacier velocities) in the European Alps in 1995–2022, Environ. Res. Lett., 19, 034022, https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad25a4, 2024.
Klees, R. and Massonnet, D.: Deformation measurements using SAR interferometry: potential and limitations, Geol. Mijnbouw, 77, 161–176, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003594502801, 1998.
Kofler, C., Mair, V., Gruber, S., Todisco, M. T., Nettleton, I., Steger, S., Zebisch, M., Schneiderbauer, S., and Comiti, F.: When do rock glacier fronts collapse? Insights from two case studies in South Tyrol (Italian Alps), Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 46, 1311–1327, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5099, 2021.
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.
Kos, A., Amann, F., Strozzi, T., Delaloye, R., von Ruette, J., and Springman, S.: Contemporary glacier retreat triggers a rapid landslide response, Great Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland, Geophys. Res. Lett., 43, 12466–12474, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL071708, 2016.
Krainer, K., Bressan, D., Dietre, B., Haas, J. N., Hajdas, L., Lang, K., Mair, V., Nickus, U., Reidl, D., Thies, H., and Tonidandel, D.: A 10300-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, 2015.
Kummert, M. and Delaloye, R.: Mapping and quantifying sediment transfer between the front of rapidly moving rock glaciers and torrential gullies, Geomorphology, 309, 60–76, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.02.021, 2018.
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, Permafr. Periglac. Process., 29, 21–33, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1960, 2018.
Lambiel, C. and Reynard, E.: Regional modelling of present, past and future potential distribution of discontinuous permafrost based on a rock glacier inventory in the Bagnes-Hérémence area (Western Swiss Alps), Norw. J. Geogr., 55, 219–223, https://doi.org/10.1080/00291950152746559, 2001.
Lambiel, C., Strozzi, T., Paillex, N., Vivero, S., and Jones, N.: Inventory and kinematics of active and transitional rock glaciers in the Southern Alps of New Zealand from Sentinel-1 InSAR, Arct. Antarct. Alp. Res., 55, 2183999, https://doi.org/10.1080/15230430.2023.2183999, 2023.
Li, M., Yang, Y., Peng, Z., and Liu, G.: Assessment of rock glaciers and their water storage in Guokalariju, Tibetan Plateau, The Cryosphere, 18, 1–16, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1-2024, 2024.
Liu, L., Millar, C. I., Westfall, R. D., and Zebker, H. A.: Surface motion of active rock glaciers in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA: inventory and a case study using InSAR, The Cryosphere, 7, 1109–1119, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1109-2013, 2013.
Manchado, A. M.-T., Allen, S., Cicoira, A., Wiesmann, S., Haller, R., and Stoffel, M.: 100 years of monitoring in the Swiss National Park reveals overall decreasing rock glacier velocities, Commun. Earth Environ., 5, 138, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01302-0, 2024.
Marcer, M., Serrano, C., Brenning, A., Bodin, X., Goetz, J., and Schoeneich, P.: Evaluating the destabilization susceptibility of active rock glaciers in the French Alps, The Cryosphere, 13, 141–155, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-141-2019, 2019.
Marcer, M., Cicoira, C., Cusicanqui, D., Bodin, X., Echelard, T., Obregon, R., and Schoeneich, P.: Rock glaciers throughout the French Alps accelerated and destabilised since 1990 as air temperatures increased, Commun. Earth Environ. 2, 81, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-021-00150-6, 2021.
Massonnet, D. and Souyris, J.-C.: Imaging with Synthetic Aperture Radar, EPFL Press, New York, USA, https://doi.org/10.1201/9781439808139, 2008.
Necsoiu, M., Onaca, A., Wigginton, S., and Urdea, P.: Rock glacier dynamics in Southern Carpathian Mountains from high-resolution optical and multi-temporal SAR satellite imagery, Remote Sens. Environ., 177, 21–36, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSE.2016.02.025, 2016.
Nemec, J., Gruber, C., Chimani, B., and Auer, I.: Trends in extreme temperature indices in Austria based on a new homogenised dataset of daily minimum and maximum temperature series, Int. J. Climatol., 33, 1538–1550, https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.3532, 2013.
Onaca, A., Ardelean, F., Urdea, P., and Magori, B.: Southern Carpathian rock glaciers: inventory, distribution and environmental controlling factors, Geomorphology, 293, 391–404, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.03.032, 2017.
Paul, F., Kääb, A., Maisch, M., Kellenberger, T., and Haeberli, W.: Rapid disintegration of Alpine glaciers observed with satellite data, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L21402, https://.https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL020816, 2004.
Pellet, C., Bodin, X., Cusicanqui, D., Delaloye, R., Kääb, A., Kaufmann, V. Noetzli, J., Thibert, E., Vivero, S. and Kellerer-Pirklbauer, A.: Rock Glacier Velocity, B. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 104, S41–S42, https://doi.org/10.1175/2023BAMSStateoftheClimate.1, 2023.
Pruessner, L., Huss, M., and Farinotti, D.: Temperature evolution and runoff contribution of three rock glaciers in Switzerland under future climate forcing, Permaf. Periglac. Process., 33, 310–322, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2149, 2022.
Reinosch, E., Gerke, M., Riedel, B., Schwalb, A., Ye, Q., and Buckel, J.: Rock glacier inventory of thewestern Nyainqêntanglha Range, Tibetan Plateau, supportedby InSAR time series and automated classification, Permafr. Periglac. Process., 32, 657–672, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2117, 2021.
RGIK: Guidelines for inventorying rock glaciers: baseline and practical concepts (version 1.0). IPA Action Group Rock glacier inventories and kinematics, 25 pp., https://doi.org/10.51363/unifr.srr.2023.002, 2023a.
RGIK: Rock Glacier Velocity as an associated parameter of ECV Permafrost: Baseline concepts (Version 3.2), IPA Action Group Rock glacier inventories and kinematics, 12 pp., https://bigweb.unifr.ch/Science/Geosciences/Geomorphology/Pub/Website/IPA/CurrentVersion/Current_RockGlacierVelocity.pdf (last access: 31 July 2023), 2023b.
RGIK: Rock Glacier Velocity as associated product of ECV Permafrost: practical concepts (version 1.2), IPA Action Group Rock glacier inventories and kinematics, 17 pp., https://bigweb.unifr.ch/Science/Geosciences/Geomorphology/Pub/Website/IPA/CurrentVersion/Current_RGV_PC.pdf (last access: 31 July 2023), 2023c.
Robson, B. A., Bolch, T., MacDonell, S., Hölbling, D., Rastner, P., and Schaffer, N.: Automated detection of rock glaciers using deep learning and object-based image analysis, Remote Sens. Environ., 250, 112033, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2020.112033, 2020.
Rosen, P., Hensley, S., Joughin, I., Li, F., Madsen, S., Rodriguez, E., and Goldstein, R.: Synthetic aperture radar interferometry, Proc. IEEE, 88, 333–382, https://doi.org/10.1109/5.838084, 2000.
Scapozza, C. and Mari, S.: Catasto, caratteristiche e dinamica dei rock glaciers delle Alpi Ticinesi, Bollettino della Società Ticinese di Scienze Naturali, 98, 15–29, 2010.
Schlögel, R., Kofler, C., Gariano, S. L., Van Campenhout, J., and Plummer, S.: Changes in climate patterns and their association to natural hazard distribution in South Tyrol (Eastern Italian Alps), Sci. Rep., 10, 5022, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61615-w, 2020.
Schmid, M.-O., Baral, P., Gruber, S., Shahi, S., Shrestha, T., Stumm, D., and Wester, P.: Assessment of permafrost distribution maps in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region using rock glaciers mapped in Google Earth, The Cryosphere, 9, 2089–2099, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-2089-2015, 2015.
Scotti, R., Brardinoni, F., Alberti, S., Frattini, P., and Crosta, G.B.: A regional inventory of rock glaciers and protalus ramparts in the central Italian Alps, Geomorphology, 186, 136–149, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.12.028, 2013.
Scotti, R., Crosta, G. B., and Villa, A.: Destabilisation of Creeping Permafrost: The Plator Rock Glacier Case Study (Central Italian Alps), Permafr. Periglac. Process., 28, 224–236, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1917, 2017a.
Scotti, R., Brardinoni, F., Crosta, G. B., Cola, G., and Mair, V.: Time constraints for post-LGM landscape response to deglaciation in Val Viola, Central Italian Alps, Quat. Sci. Rev., 177, 10–33, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.10.011, 2017b.
Scotti, R., Mair, V., Costantini, D., and Brardinoni, F.: A high-resolution rock glacier inventory of South Tyrol. Evaluating lithologic, topographic, and climatic effects, Full paper, 8 pp. ICOP 2024, 16–20 June 2024, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, in press, 2024.
Strozzi, T., Caduff, R., Jones, N., Barboux, C., Delaloye, R., Bodin, X., Kääb, A., Mätzler, E., and Schrott, L.: Monitoring rock glacier kinematics with satellite synthetic aperture radar, Remote Sens., 12, 559, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12030559, 2020.
Vespremeanu-Stroe, A., Urdea, P., Popescu, R., and Vasile, M.: Rock Glacier Activity in the Retezat Mountains, Southern Carpathians, Romania, Permaf. Periglac. Process., 23, 127–137, https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1736, 2012.
Vivero, S. and Lambiel, C.: Monitoring the crisis of a rock glacier with repeated UAV surveys, Geogr. Helv., 74, 59–69, https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-74-59-2019, 2019.
Wagner, T., Pleschberger, R., Kainz, S., Kellerer-Pirklbauer, A., Krainer, K., Philippitsch, R., and Winkler, G.: The first consistent inventory of rock glaciers and their hydrological catchments of the Austrian Alps, Austrian J. Earth Sc., 113, 1–23, https://doi.org/10.17738/ajes.2020.0001, 2020.
Wang, X., Liu, L., Zhao, L., Wu, T., Li, Z., and Liu, G.: Mapping and inventorying active rock glaciers in the northern Tien Shan of China using satellite SAR interferometry, The Cryosphere, 11, 997–1014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-997-2017, 2017.
Wirz, V., Gruber, S., Purves, R. S., Beutel, J., Gärtner-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.
Yague-Martinez, N., Prats-Iraola, P., Rodriguez Gonzalez, F., Brcic, R., Shau, R., Geudtner, D., Eineder, M., and Bamler, R.: Interferometric Processing of Sentinel-1 TOPS Data, IEEE T. Geosci. Remote, 54, 2220–2234, https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2015.2497902, 2016.
Yu, C., Li, Z., and Penna, N.T.: Interferometric synthetic aperture radar atmospheric correction using a GPS-based iterative tropospheric decomposition model, Remote Sens. Environ., 204, 109–121, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSE.2017.10.038, 2018.
Zasadni, J. and Kłapyta, P.: From valley to marginal glaciation in alpine type relief: Lateglacial glacier advances in the Pięć Stawów Polskich/Roztoka Valley, High Tatra Mountains, Poland, Geomorphology, 253, 406–424, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.10.032, 2016.
Zwieback, S., Liu, X., Antonova, S., Heim, B., Bartsch, A., Boike, J., and Hajnsek, I.: A statistical test of phase closure to detect influences on DInSAR deformation estimates besides displacements and decorrelation noise: Two case studies in high-latitude regions, IEEE T. Geosci. Remote, 54, 5588–5601, https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2016.2569435, 2016.
Short summary
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...
