Articles | Volume 11, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-117-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-11-117-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
28 Feb 2023
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 28 Feb 2023
| 28 Feb 2023
Multi-sensor monitoring and data integration reveal cyclical destabilization of the Äußeres Hochebenkar rock glacier
Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innrain 25, 3. OG, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Alaska Climate Research Center, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2156 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99775, United States
Thomas Zieher
Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innrain 25, 3. OG, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Magnus Bremer
Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innrain 25, 3. OG, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Department of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52f, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Martin Stocker-Waldhuber
Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innrain 25, 3. OG, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Vivien Zahs
Institute of Geography, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 368, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Bernhard Höfle
Institute of Geography, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 368, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Christoph Klug
Department of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52f, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Alessandro Cicoira
Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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26 citations as recorded by crossref.
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- Slow-moving rock glaciers in marginal periglacial environment of Southern Carpathians A. Onaca et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-981-2025
- Detection and reconstruction of rock glacier kinematics over 24 years (2000–2024) from Landsat imagery D. Cusicanqui et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2559-2025
- Investigating seasonal and multi-decadal water/ice storage changes in the Murtèl rock glacier using time-lapse gravimetry L. Halloran & D. Amschwand https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3397-2025
- Deep Learning Low-cost Photogrammetry for 4D Short-term Glacier Dynamics Monitoring F. Ioli et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41064-023-00272-w
- Sub-surface processes and heat fluxes at coarse blocky Murtèl rock glacier (Engadine, eastern Swiss Alps): seasonal ice and convective cooling render rock glaciers climate-robust D. Amschwand et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-365-2025
- Acceleration and interannual variability of creep rates in mountain permafrost landforms (rock glacier velocities) in the European Alps in 1995–2022 A. Kellerer-Pirklbauer et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad25a4
- Optimising sub-metre resolution 3D geomorphic change detection over large areas using multitemporal airborne laser scanning with Sentinel-1 InSAR and Sentinel-2 optical observations S. Walker et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2024.114522
- Climate change impacts and adaptation to permafrost change in High Mountain Asia: a comprehensive review P. Baral et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acf1b4
- Historical aerial image photogrammetry for tracking past deformation of Reissenschuh deep-seated rock slide in Tyrol, Austria J. Branke et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.109996
- Divergent Responses of Alpine Rock Glaciers to Climate Change: A Review of Ecological and Abiotic Dynamics S. Piccinelli & N. Cannone https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2278
- Rock glacier velocity monitored by annual in-situ geodetic surveys: Long-term challenges, solutions and suggestions A. Kellerer-Pirklbauer et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.110117
- Deciphering Small-Scale Seasonal Surface Dynamics of Rock Glaciers in the Central European Alps Using DInSAR Time Series S. Buchelt et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15122982
- 100 years of monitoring in the Swiss National Park reveals overall decreasing rock glacier velocities A. Manchado et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01302-0
- RGIK guidelines for compiling consistent rock glacier inventories F. Brardinoni et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.110050
- Deep Learning-Based Remote Sensing Monitoring of Rock Glaciers—Preliminary Application in the Hunza River Basin Y. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17243942
- Rock Glacier Inventories (RoGIs) in 12 areas worldwide using a multi-operator consensus-based procedure L. Rouyet et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4125-2025
- Feature-based multi-epoch rock slope monitoring using images and terrestrial laser scans L. Lucks & C. Holst https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophoto.2026.100120
- The First Rock Glacier Inventory for the Greater Caucasus L. Tielidze et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences13040117
- Dos Lenguas rock glacier kinematics stable despite warming trend (2016–2024): Surface changes and the role of topography and climate in the Dry Andes of Argentina M. Stammler et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70151
- Knowledge Base, Thematic Structure, and Evolutionary Trends in Global Rock Glacier Research: A Bibliometric and Science Mapping Analysis Q. Du et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115567
- Identifying mountain permafrost degradation by repeating historical electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) measurements J. Buckel et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2919-2023
- Temporal and spatial variations in freezing‒thawing indices and their impact on permafrost in the Himalayan region, China, from 1960 to 2020 X. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2026.06.020
- Dynamics and internal structure of a rock glacier: Inferring relationships from the combined use of differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry, electrical resistivity tomography and ground‐penetrating radar S. Buchelt et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5993
- A Systematic Review of Methodological Advances in Glacier-Velocity Retrieval with an Emphasis on Debris-Covered Glaciers N. Norova et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010062
- py4dgeo: Open-source scientific software for topographic change analysis in 3D/4D geographic point clouds K. Anders et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2026.102670
26 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Go or grow? Feedbacks between moving slopes and shifting plants in high mountain environments J. Eichel et al. https://doi.org/10.1177/03091333231193844
- Slow-moving rock glaciers in marginal periglacial environment of Southern Carpathians A. Onaca et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-981-2025
- Detection and reconstruction of rock glacier kinematics over 24 years (2000–2024) from Landsat imagery D. Cusicanqui et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2559-2025
- Investigating seasonal and multi-decadal water/ice storage changes in the Murtèl rock glacier using time-lapse gravimetry L. Halloran & D. Amschwand https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3397-2025
- Deep Learning Low-cost Photogrammetry for 4D Short-term Glacier Dynamics Monitoring F. Ioli et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41064-023-00272-w
- Sub-surface processes and heat fluxes at coarse blocky Murtèl rock glacier (Engadine, eastern Swiss Alps): seasonal ice and convective cooling render rock glaciers climate-robust D. Amschwand et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-365-2025
- Acceleration and interannual variability of creep rates in mountain permafrost landforms (rock glacier velocities) in the European Alps in 1995–2022 A. Kellerer-Pirklbauer et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad25a4
- Optimising sub-metre resolution 3D geomorphic change detection over large areas using multitemporal airborne laser scanning with Sentinel-1 InSAR and Sentinel-2 optical observations S. Walker et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2024.114522
- Climate change impacts and adaptation to permafrost change in High Mountain Asia: a comprehensive review P. Baral et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acf1b4
- Historical aerial image photogrammetry for tracking past deformation of Reissenschuh deep-seated rock slide in Tyrol, Austria J. Branke et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.109996
- Divergent Responses of Alpine Rock Glaciers to Climate Change: A Review of Ecological and Abiotic Dynamics S. Piccinelli & N. Cannone https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2278
- Rock glacier velocity monitored by annual in-situ geodetic surveys: Long-term challenges, solutions and suggestions A. Kellerer-Pirklbauer et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.110117
- Deciphering Small-Scale Seasonal Surface Dynamics of Rock Glaciers in the Central European Alps Using DInSAR Time Series S. Buchelt et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15122982
- 100 years of monitoring in the Swiss National Park reveals overall decreasing rock glacier velocities A. Manchado et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01302-0
- RGIK guidelines for compiling consistent rock glacier inventories F. Brardinoni et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.110050
- Deep Learning-Based Remote Sensing Monitoring of Rock Glaciers—Preliminary Application in the Hunza River Basin Y. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17243942
- Rock Glacier Inventories (RoGIs) in 12 areas worldwide using a multi-operator consensus-based procedure L. Rouyet et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4125-2025
- Feature-based multi-epoch rock slope monitoring using images and terrestrial laser scans L. Lucks & C. Holst https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophoto.2026.100120
- The First Rock Glacier Inventory for the Greater Caucasus L. Tielidze et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences13040117
- Dos Lenguas rock glacier kinematics stable despite warming trend (2016–2024): Surface changes and the role of topography and climate in the Dry Andes of Argentina M. Stammler et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.70151
- Knowledge Base, Thematic Structure, and Evolutionary Trends in Global Rock Glacier Research: A Bibliometric and Science Mapping Analysis Q. Du et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115567
- Identifying mountain permafrost degradation by repeating historical electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) measurements J. Buckel et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2919-2023
- Temporal and spatial variations in freezing‒thawing indices and their impact on permafrost in the Himalayan region, China, from 1960 to 2020 X. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2026.06.020
- Dynamics and internal structure of a rock glacier: Inferring relationships from the combined use of differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry, electrical resistivity tomography and ground‐penetrating radar S. Buchelt et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5993
- A Systematic Review of Methodological Advances in Glacier-Velocity Retrieval with an Emphasis on Debris-Covered Glaciers N. Norova et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010062
- py4dgeo: Open-source scientific software for topographic change analysis in 3D/4D geographic point clouds K. Anders et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2026.102670
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 03 Nov 2026
Editorial statement
Melting permafrost in high mountain areas represents a significant climate change driven hazard. This research shows the importance of this using novel photogrammetric methods coupled with a long observational record.
Melting permafrost in high mountain areas represents a significant climate change driven hazard....
Short summary
The rock glacier in Äußeres Hochebenkar (Austria) moved faster in 2021–2022 than it has in about 70 years of monitoring. It is currently destabilizing. Using a combination of different data types and methods, we show that there have been two cycles of destabilization at Hochebenkar and provide a detailed analysis of velocity and surface changes. Because our time series are very long and show repeated destabilization, this helps us better understand the processes of rock glacier destabilization.
The rock glacier in Äußeres Hochebenkar (Austria) moved faster in 2021–2022 than it has in...
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