Rock Glacier - Movement

Movement

Rock glaciers move downslope by deformation of the ice contained within them, causing their surface to resemble those of glaciers. Some rock glaciers can reach lengths of 3 km and can have terminal embankments of 60 m high. Blocks on the surface can be up to 8 m in diameter. Flow features on the surface of rock glaciers may develop from:

  • Deformation of the ice core.
  • Movement of the debris cover along the debris-ice interface.
  • Deformation from a period of glacial advance.
  • Changes in the hydrologic balance.

Their growth and formation is subject to some debate, with three main theories:

  • A permafrost origin, which implies that the features are related to permafrost action rather than glacial action;
  • A mass wasting or landslide origin which does not require the presence of ice and suggests a sudden catastrophic origin with little subsequent movement.

Rock glaciers may move or creep at a very slow rate in part dependent on the amount of ice present.

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