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QUANTIFYING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HYDROLOGICAL CONTRIBUTION OF A ROCK GLACIER - A REVIEW.
Session: Geocryology II / Géocryologie II
Maxime Duguay, BGC Engineering Inc. (Canada)
Alan Edmunds, BGC Ingenieria Ltda. (Chile)
Lukas Arenson, BGC Engineering Inc. (Canada)
Pablo Wainstein , BGC Engineering Inc. (Canada)
The role of uncovered glaciers in the hydrological cycle has been well studied and documented in the scientific literature. On the other hand, very little is known of rock glaciers. Despite the lack of data and understanding as to the role of rock glaciers within the hydrological cycle some legislations have recently been implemented to protect them from any human impact, by erroneously including rock glaciers as part of the glacial environment. This paper reviews available literature on rock glacier hydrology and the different positions authors have adopted in order to synthesize available knowledge on the hydrological significance and hydrograph response of these cryoforms. We recommend that rock glaciers should be assessed under a holistic approach; their significant differences in genesis, morphology, dynamics, and energy exchange to glaciers must be acknowledged. Detailed site investigation is required in order to properly determine the role of rock glaciers and the periglacial environment on the hydrological cycle in a mountain watershed.
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