A Rock Glacier Activity Index Based on Rock Glacier Thickness Changes and Displacement Rates Derived From Airborne Laser Scanning

Erik Bollmann, Anna Girstmair, Susanna Mitterer, Karl Krainer, Rudolf Sailer and Johann Stötter

Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 2015, vol. 26, issue 4, 347-359

Abstract: Regional assessments of whether a rock glacier is active are mainly based on expert interpretation of surface characteristics. This study presents a quantitative approach to assess rock glacier activity based on magnitudes (average and standard deviation) of rock glacier thickness changes and displacement rates calculated from repeated airborne laser scanning data. In contrast to the established three‐part activity classification, the activity index ρR indicates the degree of rock glacier activity, with values ranging between 0 (not active, because no surface changes are observed) and 1 (very active, because the highest magnitudes of surface changes are observed). The activity index values determined correspond well with the activity type determined in the Tyrolean rock glacier inventory: rock glaciers with ρR values > 0.65 are mainly classified as active (77% active, 22% inactive, 1% relict), whereas 88 per cent of all relict rock glaciers correspond to ρR values

Date: 2015
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https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.1852

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:perpro:v:26:y:2015:i:4:p:347-359

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