Articles | Volume 13, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-981-2025
© Author(s) 2025. 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-13-981-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
08 Oct 2025
Research article |
| 08 Oct 2025
| 08 Oct 2025
Slow-moving rock glaciers in marginal periglacial environment of Southern Carpathians
Alexandru Onaca
Department of Geography, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Institute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Institute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Valentin Poncoş
Terrasigna, Bucharest, Romania
Christin Hilbich
Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
Tazio Strozzi
Gamma Remote Sensing, Gümligen, Switzerland
Petru Urdea
Department of Geography, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Institute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Răzvan Popescu
Department of Geography, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
Oana Berzescu
Institute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Bernd Etzelmüller
Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Alfred Vespremeanu-Stroe
Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
Mirela Vasile
Department of Geography, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Division of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Bucharest Research Institute, Bucharest, Romania
Delia Teleagă
Terrasigna, Bucharest, Romania
Dan Birtaş
Terrasigna, Bucharest, Romania
Iosif Lopătiţă
Department of Geography, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Simon Filhol
Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Alexandru Hegyi
Institute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Florina Ardelean
Department of Geography, West University of Timişoara, Timişoara, Romania
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Cited
9 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Spatiotemporal Variability of Seasonal Snow Cover over 25 Years in the Romanian Carpathians: Insights from a MODIS CGF-Based Approach A. Ioniță et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18030468
- Ground surface temperature variability in rock glaciers from a marginal periglacial environment: Evidence from the southern Carpathians F. Ardelean et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2026.110681
- RGIK guidelines for compiling consistent rock glacier inventories F. Brardinoni et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.110050
- Kinematic Mapping and Geomorphological Analysis of Rock Glaciers in the Pirin Mountains (Bulgaria) F. Sîrbu et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18162754
- 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
- 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
- Remote Sensing-Based Detection and Statistical Characterization of Large Landslides in the Transylvanian Basin G. Roșian et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18162645
- Inventory of rock glaciers and protalus lobes in the Upper Noguera Pallaresa Basin (Central-Southern Pyrenees): spatial distribution, chronology, and activity J. Ventura et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42990-026-00240-7
- UAV-Derived Snow Depth Patterns on the Galeșu Rock Glacier, Retezat Mountains: Multi-Winter Evidence of Microtopographic Control A. Ioniță et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18141760
9 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Spatiotemporal Variability of Seasonal Snow Cover over 25 Years in the Romanian Carpathians: Insights from a MODIS CGF-Based Approach A. Ioniță et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18030468
- Ground surface temperature variability in rock glaciers from a marginal periglacial environment: Evidence from the southern Carpathians F. Ardelean et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2026.110681
- RGIK guidelines for compiling consistent rock glacier inventories F. Brardinoni et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2025.110050
- Kinematic Mapping and Geomorphological Analysis of Rock Glaciers in the Pirin Mountains (Bulgaria) F. Sîrbu et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18162754
- 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
- 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
- Remote Sensing-Based Detection and Statistical Characterization of Large Landslides in the Transylvanian Basin G. Roșian et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18162645
- Inventory of rock glaciers and protalus lobes in the Upper Noguera Pallaresa Basin (Central-Southern Pyrenees): spatial distribution, chronology, and activity J. Ventura et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42990-026-00240-7
- UAV-Derived Snow Depth Patterns on the Galeșu Rock Glacier, Retezat Mountains: Multi-Winter Evidence of Microtopographic Control A. Ioniță et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18141760
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 06 Nov 2026
Short summary
This study establishes a methodology for the study of slow-moving rock glaciers in marginal permafrost and provides the basic knowledge for understanding rock glaciers in South East Europe. By using a combination of different methods (remote sensing, geophysical survey, thermal measurements), we found out that, on the transitional rock glaciers, low ground ice content (i.e. below 20 %) produces horizontal displacements of up to 3 cm per year.
This study establishes a methodology for the study of slow-moving rock glaciers in marginal...
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