13 - debris transfer

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Rock Glacier: A body of ice containing sediment that moves down slope due to ice deformation. The main process is ice creep that occurs when warm ice deforms due to gravity down steep slopes.

Creep occurs via pore ice creep and unfrozen pore water.

Most effective when: warm ice, ice rich sediment and steep slopes.

highest deformation occurs in the warmest and most ice rich sediment.

Types of rock glacier:

Talus-rock glaciers = occur below talus slopes, weathering of the talus forms the sediment supply.

Debris-rock glaciers = occur below glaciers, majority of the sediment supply comes from adjacent moraines.

In order to determine the origin of rock glaciers, it is necessary to look at the internal structure, due to cost and difficulty this information is mainly obtained by geophysical methods.

Rock glaciers can be used as an indicator of lower altitudinal limits of existing or relict permafrost.

French 2007