Open Session on Rock Glaciers: Bridging Regional Data Gaps through Equitable Monitoring and Collaborative Science

Session ID#: 279915

Session Description:
Rock glaciers are distinct alpine periglacial landforms formed by the gravity-driven creep of ice-rich debris. Their distribution, morphology and kinematics reflect a tight coupling between internal controls and climate-dependent factors. Crucially, rock glaciers are robust indicators of mountain permafrost change, with Rock Glacier Velocity recognised as an Essential Climate Variable Quantity for permafrost monitoring. Despite their relevance, process understanding and observational constraints remain limited by sparse field and time-series investigations, as well as methodological inconsistencies across regions. Hence, the impacts of climate-driven permafrost degradation on rock glacier dynamics, stability, and hydrology remain insufficiently quantified. We welcome contributions exploring rock glacier distribution and dynamics, particularly those focusing on multi-scale datasets and applications such as water security and hazard assessment. Aligning with the Rock Glacier Inventories and Kinematics (RGIK) initiative, this session aspires to highlight rock glaciers as key ECV-relevant proxies for alpine permafrost while fostering a diverse, global research community.
Index Terms:

0702 Permafrost [CRYOSPHERE]
0710 Periglacial processes [CRYOSPHERE]
0722 Rock glaciers [CRYOSPHERE]
0774 Dynamics [CRYOSPHERE]
Primary Convener:  Mishelle Wehbe, University of Ottawa, Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Conveners:  Diego Cusicanqui, Institut des Sciences de la Terre (ISTerre) CNES, CNRS, IRD, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France, Kaytan Kelkar, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute Permafrost Laboratory, Fairbanks, United States and Tyler Meng, Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, St. Louis, United States
See more of: Cryosphere