Rock glacier

Alternative definitions (7), class: vernacular (0)
Term: Rock glacier
Definition: Lava stream like debris mass containing interstitial ice; Movement is primarily due to debris mass under the influence of gravity, and not due to ice flow patterns; Not a debris covered glacier, but permafrost phenomenon; A glacier-shaped mass of angular rock in a cirque or valley either with interstitial ice, firn and snow or covering the remnants of a glacier, moving slowly downslope. (WGMS 1970); A glacier-shaped mass of angular rock in a cirque or valley either with interstitial ice, firn and snow or covering the remnants of a glacier, moving slowly downslope. If in doubt about the ice content, the frequently present surface; firn field should be classified as 'Glacieret and snowfield' (WGMS 1977); Lava stream like debris mass containing ice in several possible forms and moving slowly down slope (WGMS 1998); A debris covered glacier is not necessarily a rock glacier. To distinguish between rock glaciers and debris covered; glaciers the parameter group 'Debris coverage of tongue' is offered.
Created 2022.03.08
Last Modified 2023.03.27
Contributed by GCW Glossary
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