Permafrost changes in rock walls and the retreat of alpine glaciers: a thermal modelling approach

• Published in: Permafrost and periglacial processes Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 23 - 33
• Main Authors: Wegmann, Matthias, Gudmundsson, G. Hilmar, Haeberli, Wilfried
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.01.1998; Wiley
• Subjects: bedrock; Bgi / Prodig; Cold areas; frost weathering; Geomorphology; glacier retreat; permafrost dynamics; Physical geography; thermal modelling; Alps (The); Switzerland; Freeze-thaw cycle; Temperature; Glacier fluctuation; Periglacial features; Mountain; Model; Weathering; Permafrost; Heat transfer

The shrinkage of Grosser Aletschgletscher changed the thermal and mechanical boundary conditions in its marginal rock walls. The temperature at the glacier bed is at the pressure melting point while the exposed rock surface (above the glacier) is subject to atmospheric conditions. At our study site,...