Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
GPS points 5-7 showed a recent (2003-2008) increase in horizontal velocity
compared to photogrammetric estimates from 1983 to 1998. The area of increase
was isolated in the toe of the rock glacier, a region that has a longitudinal furrow
feeding into a slightly concave slope. Snowmelt or water from melting internal ice
may flow and accumulate in this region. The excess water may act as a lubricant
between shear planes or may warm ice and allow it to flow more quickly.
Although this area is remote, campers and hikers frequently visit this area, which
poses some future danger. The frequency of rockfalls could increase with greater
rates of flow as rocks are displaced downslope. Water could also accumulate on the
rock glacier surface, overcome a threshold, and inundate the surrounding landscape.
Coupled with climate change, the frequency and magnitude of mountain processes
such as flow, falls, slumps, slides, floods, and avalanches will likely increase and
could become hazardous. Although no imminent danger exists from the California
rock glacier, the methods utilized in this study can easily be replicated to assess other
slope processes in mountainous terrain. The techniques can be used to manage or
develop policy for sensitive areas such as those in the Andes. To capture the spatial
variability of alpine processes, researchers must use an array of data sources with
different temporal, spectral, and spatial resolutions.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Jack Vitek, John Giardino, and Susan Berta
for their suggestions and comments which greatly improved this chapter.
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