Recent evolution of an ice‐cored moraine at the Gentianes Pass, Valais Alps, Switzerland

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_9F255986758F
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Recent evolution of an ice‐cored moraine at the Gentianes Pass, Valais Alps, Switzerland
Journal
Land Degradation & Development
Author(s)
Ravanel L., Duvillard P.-A., Jaboyedoff M., Lambiel L.
Publication state
Published
Issued date
29/06/2018
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
29
Pages
3693-3708
Language
english
Abstract
Lateral moraines located in permafrost environments often preserve large amounts of both glacier and periglacial ice. To understand how ice-cored moraines located in high alpine environments evolve in a context of both glacier retreat and permafrost degradation, we performed 11 terrestrial laser-scanning measurement campaigns between 2007 and 2014 on a highly anthropogenic overprinted moraine prone to instability. Resulting comparison of the subsequent 3D models allowed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the morphological evolution of the moraine. The comparisons indicate a very high geomorphic activity of the moraine including large areas affected by downslope movements of blocks and 10 landslides with a volume between 24 ± 1 and 1,138 ± 47 m3. Data also indicated a very strong ice melt with a loss of ice thickness locally reaching 17.7 m at the foot of the moraine. These results, compared with resistivity and thermal measurements of the ground, suggest the combined role of ice loss at the foot of the moraine and the permafrost activity/warming in triggering these processes.
Keywords
anthropogenic overprinting, ice-cored moraine, paraglacial, permafrost warming, Valais Alps
Create date
01/02/2013 13:12
Last modification date
12/07/2024 6:03
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