Geometry and paleo-ice content of rock glaciers in the southeastern Alps (NE Italy – NW Slovenia)

Abstract

Rock glaciers in the southeastern Alps of Slovenia and Italy have been mapped in detail using high resolution digital elevation model and orthophotos, supported by field-based observations. A total of 52 rock glaciers with an area of 3.40 km 2 have been delineated on a rock glacier map, divided in 18 sections at a scale of 1:15,000. Several geometrical parameters of rock glaciers have been calculated and their activity degree has been inferred. 90% of rock glaciers have been classified as relict, while the rest are assumed to be of uncertain activity and might still contain some ice. The volumetric ice content and water volume equivalent of the studied rock glaciers for the period of their activity has been calculated to 0.055 ± 0.011 km 3 and 0.049 ± 0.010 km 3 , respectively, which is very close to the ice volume of glaciers reconstructed for this area during the little ice age to 0.069 km 3 .

The first consistent inventory of rock glaciers and their hydrological catchments of the Austrian Alps

“…towards the south with Slovenia and Italy is worth pursuing. Boccali et al (2019) reported 52 mainly relict rock glaciers (88 % relict) and Colucci et al (2016) 66 protalus ramparts (16 of them likely still active) from the north-eastern-most region of Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia region) and Slovenia. More importantly, for South Tyrol Bollmann et al (2012) reported 1467 rock glaciers, of which 294 are intact and the remaining 80% of the rock glaciers are relict.…”