Articles | Volume 8, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-753-2020
© Author(s) 2020. 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-8-753-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
11 Sep 2020
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 11 Sep 2020
| 11 Sep 2020
A 6-year lidar survey reveals enhanced rockwall retreat and modified rockfall magnitudes/frequencies in deglaciating cirques
Ingo Hartmeyer
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
GEORESEARCH Research Institute, Puch bei Hallein, Austria
Markus Keuschnig
GEORESEARCH Research Institute, Puch bei Hallein, Austria
Robert Delleske
GEORESEARCH Research Institute, Puch bei Hallein, Austria
Michael Krautblatter
Chair of
Landslide Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Andreas Lang
Department of Geography and Geology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
Lothar Schrott
Department of Geography, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Günther Prasicek
Department of Geography and Geology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
Interdisciplinary Centre for Mountain Research, University of
Lausanne, Bramois, Switzerland
Jan-Christoph Otto
Department of Geography and Geology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
Related authors
Wolfgang Aumer, Ingo Hartmeyer, Carolyn-Monika Görres, Daniel Uteau, Maike Offer, and Stephan Peth
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 473–493, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-473-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-473-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The summertime thaw depth of permanently frozen ground (active layer thickness, ALT) is of critical importance for natural hazard management (e.g., rock avalanches) and construction (foundation stability) in mountain permafrost regions. We report the first analytical heat transport model for simulating ALT based on near-surface temperature in permafrost rock walls. Our results show that the ALT will likely increase by more than 50 % by 2050 at 3000 m a.s.l. in the European Alps.
Maike Offer, Samuel Weber, Michael Krautblatter, Ingo Hartmeyer, and Markus Keuschnig
The Cryosphere, 19, 485–506, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-485-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-485-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present a unique long-term dataset of measurements of borehole temperature, repeated electrical resistivity tomography, and piezometric pressure to investigate the complex seasonal water flow in permafrost rockwalls. Our joint analysis shows that permafrost rocks are subjected to enhanced pressurised water flow during the thaw period, resulting in push-like warming events and long-lasting rock temperature regime changes.
Ingo Hartmeyer and Jan-Christoph Otto
DEUQUA Spec. Pub., 5, 3–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-5-3-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-5-3-2024, 2024
Doris Hermle, Markus Keuschnig, Ingo Hartmeyer, Robert Delleske, and Michael Krautblatter
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 2753–2772, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-2753-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-2753-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Multispectral remote sensing imagery enables landslide detection and monitoring, but its applicability to time-critical early warning is rarely studied. We present a concept to operationalise its use for landslide early warning, aiming to extend lead time. We tested PlanetScope and unmanned aerial system images on a complex mass movement and compared processing times to historic benchmarks. Acquired data are within the forecasting window, indicating the feasibility for landslide early warning.
Ingo Hartmeyer, Robert Delleske, Markus Keuschnig, Michael Krautblatter, Andreas Lang, Lothar Schrott, and Jan-Christoph Otto
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 729–751, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-729-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-729-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Climate warming is causing significant ice surface lowering even in the uppermost parts of alpine glaciers. Using terrestrial lidar, we quantify rockfall in freshly exposed cirque walls. During 6-year monitoring (2011–2017), an extensive dataset was established and over 600 rockfall events identified. Drastically increased rockfall activity following ice retreat can clearly be observed as 60 % of the rockfall volume detached from less than 10 m above the glacier surface.
Andreas Ewald, Ingo Hartmeyer, Markus Keuschnig, Andreas Lang, and Jan-Christoph Otto
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-42, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-42, 2019
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
Processes destabilising recently deglaciated rocks, driving cirque headwall retreat, and putting alpine infrastructure at risk are poorly understood due to scarce in situ data. We monitored fracture deformation at a cirque headwall in the Austria Alps. We found thermo-mechanical expansion and freeze-thaw action as dominant processes for deformation. Our results highlight the importance of liquid water in combination with subzero-temperatures on the destabilisation of glacier headwalls.
Wolfgang Aumer, Ingo Hartmeyer, Carolyn-Monika Görres, Daniel Uteau, Maike Offer, and Stephan Peth
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 473–493, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-473-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-473-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The summertime thaw depth of permanently frozen ground (active layer thickness, ALT) is of critical importance for natural hazard management (e.g., rock avalanches) and construction (foundation stability) in mountain permafrost regions. We report the first analytical heat transport model for simulating ALT based on near-surface temperature in permafrost rock walls. Our results show that the ALT will likely increase by more than 50 % by 2050 at 3000 m a.s.l. in the European Alps.
Benjamin Jacobs, Mohamed Ismael, Mostafa Ezzy, Markus Keuschnig, Alexander Mendler, Johanna Kieser, Michael Krautblatter, Christian U. Grosse, and Hany Helal
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2007, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2007, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Earth Surface Dynamics (ESurf).
Short summary
Short summary
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is one of the key heritage sites in Egypt but potentially threatened by rockfalls from a 100 m high limestone cliff. We transferred established monitoring techniques from mountainous (alpine) environments to this major cultural heritage site and test their performance in a historically sensitive desert environment. Our study shows the first event and impact analysis of rockfalls at the Temple of Hatshepsut, providing vital data towards future risk assessment.
Ikram Zangana, Rainer Bell, Lucian Drăguţ, Flavius Sîrbu, and Lothar Schrott
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2139, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2139, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences (NHESS).
Short summary
Short summary
Mapping landslides is essential for understanding hazards and risk assessment. This study used a geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) approach with high-resolution lidar data to map forest-covered historical landslides in Jena, Germany. Optimizing the moving-window size for lidar derivatives improved accuracy, detecting more landslides and reducing errors. This method showcases the potential of lidar-based approaches for global landslide inventory and hazard assessment.
Janet C. Richardson, Veerle Vanacker, David M. Hodgson, Marcus Christl, and Andreas Lang
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 315–339, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-315-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-315-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Pediments are long flat surfaces that extend outwards from the foot of mountains; within South Africa they are regarded as ancient landforms that can give key insights into landscape and mantle dynamics. Cosmogenic nuclide dating has been incorporated with geological (soil formation) and geomorphological (river incision) evidence, which shows that the pediments are long-lived features beyond the ages reported by cosmogenic nuclide dating.
Riccardo Scandroglio, Samuel Weber, Till Rehm, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 295–314, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-295-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-295-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Despite the critical role of water in alpine regions, its presence in bedrock is frequently neglected. This research examines the dynamics of water in fractures using 1 decade of measurements from a tunnel 50 m underground. We provide new insights into alpine groundwater dynamics, revealing that up to 800 L d-1 can flow in one fracture during extreme events. These quantities can saturate the fractures, enhance hydraulic conductivity, and generate pressures that destabilize slopes.
Samuel Weber, Jan Beutel, Michael Dietze, Alexander Bast, Robert Kenner, Marcia Phillips, Johannes Leinauer, Simon Mühlbauer, Felix Pfluger, and Michael Krautblatter
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1151, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1151, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
On 13 June 2023, a freestanding rock pillar on the Matterhorn Hörnligrat ridge collapsed after years of weakening. Our study explores how seasonal temperature changes and water infiltration into frozen rock contributed to its failure. By combining field data, lab tests, and modeling, we reveal how warming permafrost increases rockfall risks. Our findings highlight the need for multi-method monitoring and modeling to understand rock slope failure and its links to climate change.
Maike Offer, Samuel Weber, Michael Krautblatter, Ingo Hartmeyer, and Markus Keuschnig
The Cryosphere, 19, 485–506, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-485-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-485-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present a unique long-term dataset of measurements of borehole temperature, repeated electrical resistivity tomography, and piezometric pressure to investigate the complex seasonal water flow in permafrost rockwalls. Our joint analysis shows that permafrost rocks are subjected to enhanced pressurised water flow during the thaw period, resulting in push-like warming events and long-lasting rock temperature regime changes.
Felix Pfluger, Samuel Weber, Joseph Steinhauser, Christian Zangerl, Christine Fey, Johannes Fürst, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 41–70, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-41-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-41-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study explores permafrost–glacier interactions with a focus on their implications for preparing or triggering high-volume rock slope failures. Using the Bliggspitze rock slide as a case study, we demonstrate a new type of rock slope failure mechanism triggered by the uplift of the cold–warm dividing line in polythermal alpine glaciers, a widespread and currently under-explored phenomenon in alpine environments worldwide.
Johannes Leinauer, Michael Dietze, Sibylle Knapp, Riccardo Scandroglio, Maximilian Jokel, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1027–1048, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1027-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1027-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Massive rock slope failures are a significant alpine hazard and change the Earth's surface. Therefore, we must understand what controls the preparation of such events. By correlating 4 years of slope displacements with meteorological and seismic data, we found that water from rain and snowmelt is the most important driver. Our approach is applicable to similar sites and indicates where future climatic changes, e.g. in rain intensity and frequency, may alter the preparation of slope failure.
Ingo Hartmeyer and Jan-Christoph Otto
DEUQUA Spec. Pub., 5, 3–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-5-3-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/deuquasp-5-3-2024, 2024
Natalie Barbosa, Johannes Leinauer, Juilson Jubanski, Michael Dietze, Ulrich Münzer, Florian Siegert, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 249–269, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-249-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-249-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Massive sediment pulses in catchments are a key alpine multi-risk component. Combining high-resolution aerial imagery and seismic information, we decipher a multi-stage >130.000 m³ rockfall and subsequent sediment pulses over 4 years, reflecting sediment deposition up to 10 m, redistribution in the basin, and finally debouchure to the outlet. This study provides generic information on spatial and temporal patterns of massive sediment pulses in highly charged alpine catchments.
Sibylle Knapp, Michael Schwenk, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 1185–1193, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-1185-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-1185-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The Flims area in the Swiss Alps has fascinated the researchers with its complex geological history ever since. Especially the order of events related to the Tamins and Flims rockslides has long been debated. This paper presents novel results based on up to 160 m deep geophysical profiles, which show onlaps of the Bonaduz Formation onto the Tamins deposits (Ils Aults) and thus indicate that the Tamins rockslide occurred first. The consecutive evolution of this landscape is shown in four phases.
Shiva P. Pudasaini and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 165–189, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-165-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-165-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present the first physics-based general landslide velocity model incorporating internal deformation and external forces. Voellmy–inviscid Burgers' equations are specifications of the novel advective–dissipative system. Unified analytical solutions constitute a new foundation of landslide velocity, providing key information to instantly estimate impact forces and describe breaking waves and folding, revealing that landslide dynamics are architectured by advection and reigned by forcing.
Bernd Etzelmüller, Justyna Czekirda, Florence Magnin, Pierre-Allain Duvillard, Ludovic Ravanel, Emanuelle Malet, Andreas Aspaas, Lene Kristensen, Ingrid Skrede, Gudrun D. Majala, Benjamin Jacobs, Johannes Leinauer, Christian Hauck, Christin Hilbich, Martina Böhme, Reginald Hermanns, Harald Ø. Eriksen, Tom Rune Lauknes, Michael Krautblatter, and Sebastian Westermann
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 97–129, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-97-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-97-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This paper is a multi-authored study documenting the possible existence of permafrost in permanently monitored rockslides in Norway for the first time by combining a multitude of field data, including geophysical surveys in rock walls. The paper discusses the possible role of thermal regime and rockslide movement, and it evaluates the possible impact of atmospheric warming on rockslide dynamics in Norwegian mountains.
Pengzhi Zhao, Daniel Joseph Fallu, Sara Cucchiaro, Paolo Tarolli, Clive Waddington, David Cockcroft, Lisa Snape, Andreas Lang, Sebastian Doetterl, Antony G. Brown, and Kristof Van Oost
Biogeosciences, 18, 6301–6312, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6301-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6301-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the factors controlling the soil organic carbon (SOC) stability and temperature sensitivity of abandoned prehistoric agricultural terrace soils. Results suggest that the burial of former topsoil due to terracing provided an SOC stabilization mechanism. Both the soil C : N ratio and SOC mineral protection regulate soil SOC temperature sensitivity. However, which mechanism predominantly controls SOC temperature sensitivity depends on the age of the buried terrace soils.
Carolin Kiefer, Patrick Oswald, Jasper Moernaut, Stefano Claudio Fabbri, Christoph Mayr, Michael Strasser, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 9, 1481–1503, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1481-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1481-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study provides amphibious investigations of debris flow fans (DFFs). We characterize active DFFs, combining laser scan and sonar surveys at Plansee. We discover a 4000-year debris flow record in sediment cores, providing evidence for a 7-fold debris flow frequency increase in the 20th and 21st centuries, coincident with 2-fold enhanced rainstorm activity in the northern European Alps. Our results indicate climate change as being the main factor controlling debris flow activity.
Philipp Mamot, Samuel Weber, Saskia Eppinger, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 9, 1125–1151, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1125-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-1125-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The mechanical response of permafrost degradation on high-mountain rock slope stability has not been calculated in a numerical model yet. We present the first approach for a model with thermal and mechanical input data derived from laboratory and field work, and existing concepts. This is applied to a test site at the Zugspitze, Germany. A numerical sensitivity analysis provides the first critical stability thresholds related to the rock temperature, slope angle and fracture network orientation.
Doris Hermle, Markus Keuschnig, Ingo Hartmeyer, Robert Delleske, and Michael Krautblatter
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 2753–2772, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-2753-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-2753-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Multispectral remote sensing imagery enables landslide detection and monitoring, but its applicability to time-critical early warning is rarely studied. We present a concept to operationalise its use for landslide early warning, aiming to extend lead time. We tested PlanetScope and unmanned aerial system images on a complex mass movement and compared processing times to historic benchmarks. Acquired data are within the forecasting window, indicating the feasibility for landslide early warning.
Barbara Mauz, Loïc Martin, Michael Discher, Chantal Tribolo, Sebastian Kreutzer, Chiara Bahl, Andreas Lang, and Nobert Mercier
Geochronology, 3, 371–381, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-371-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gchron-3-371-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Luminescence dating requires irradiating the sample in the laboratory. Here, we address some concerns about the reliability of the calibration procedure that have been published recently. We found that the interplay between geometrical parameters such as grain size and aliquot size impacts the calibration value more than previously thought. The results of our study are robust and allow us to recommend an improved calibration procedure in order to enhance the reliability of the calibration value.
Anne-Laure Argentin, Jörg Robl, Günther Prasicek, Stefan Hergarten, Daniel Hölbling, Lorena Abad, and Zahra Dabiri
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 1615–1637, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-1615-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-1615-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study relies on topography to simulate the origin and displacement of potentially river-blocking landslides. It highlights a continuous range of simulated landslide dams that go unnoticed in the field due to their small scale. The computation results show that landslide-dammed lake volume can be estimated from upstream drainage area and landslide volume, thus enabling an efficient hazard assessment of possible landslide-dammed lake volume – and flooding magnitude in case of dam failure.
Michael Krautblatter, Lutz Schirrmeister, and Josefine Lenz
Polarforschung, 89, 69–71, https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-69-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/polf-89-69-2021, 2021
Christian Halla, Jan Henrik Blöthe, Carla Tapia Baldis, Dario Trombotto Liaudat, Christin Hilbich, Christian Hauck, and Lothar Schrott
The Cryosphere, 15, 1187–1213, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1187-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1187-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In the semi-arid to arid Andes of Argentina, rock glaciers contain invisible and unknown amounts of ground ice that could become more important in future for the water availability during the dry season. The study shows that the investigated rock glacier represents an important long-term ice reservoir in the dry mountain catchment and that interannual changes of ground ice can store and release significant amounts of annual precipitation.
Ingo Hartmeyer, Robert Delleske, Markus Keuschnig, Michael Krautblatter, Andreas Lang, Lothar Schrott, and Jan-Christoph Otto
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 729–751, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-729-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-729-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Climate warming is causing significant ice surface lowering even in the uppermost parts of alpine glaciers. Using terrestrial lidar, we quantify rockfall in freshly exposed cirque walls. During 6-year monitoring (2011–2017), an extensive dataset was established and over 600 rockfall events identified. Drastically increased rockfall activity following ice retreat can clearly be observed as 60 % of the rockfall volume detached from less than 10 m above the glacier surface.
Robert R. Junker, Maximilian Hanusch, Xie He, Victoria Ruiz-Hernández, Jan-Christoph Otto, Sabine Kraushaar, Kristina Bauch, Florian Griessenberger, Lisa-Maria Ohler, and Wolfgang Trutschnig
Web Ecol., 20, 95–106, https://doi.org/10.5194/we-20-95-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/we-20-95-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We introduce the Alpine research platform Ödenwinkel to promote observational and experimental research on the emergence of multidiversity and ecosystem complexity. The Ödenwinkel platform will be available as a long-term ecological research site where researchers from various disciplines can contribute to the accumulation of knowledge on ecological successions and on how interactions between various taxonomic groups structure ecological complexity in this Alpine environment.
Philipp Mamot, Samuel Weber, Maximilian Lanz, and Michael Krautblatter
The Cryosphere, 14, 1849–1855, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1849-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1849-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
A failure criterion for ice-filled rock joints is a prerequisite to accurately assess the stability of permafrost rock slopes. In 2018 a failure criterion was proposed based on limestone. Now, we tested the transferability to other rocks using mica schist and gneiss which provide the maximum expected deviation of lithological effects on the shear strength. We show that even for controversial rocks the failure criterion stays unaltered, suggesting that it is applicable to mostly all rock types.
Z. Dabiri, D. Hölbling, L. Abad, G. Prasicek, A.-L. Argentin, and T.-T. Tsai
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLII-3-W8, 103–108, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-3-W8-103-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-3-W8-103-2019, 2019
Lionel Benoit, Aurelie Gourdon, Raphaël Vallat, Inigo Irarrazaval, Mathieu Gravey, Benjamin Lehmann, Günther Prasicek, Dominik Gräff, Frederic Herman, and Gregoire Mariethoz
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 11, 579–588, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-579-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-579-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
This dataset provides a collection of 10 cm resolution orthomosaics and digital elevation models of the Gornergletscher glacial system (Switzerland). Raw data have been acquired every 2 weeks by intensive UAV surveys and cover the summer 2017. A careful photogrammetric processing ensures the geometrical coherence of the whole dataset.
Andreas Ewald, Ingo Hartmeyer, Markus Keuschnig, Andreas Lang, and Jan-Christoph Otto
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-42, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-42, 2019
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
Processes destabilising recently deglaciated rocks, driving cirque headwall retreat, and putting alpine infrastructure at risk are poorly understood due to scarce in situ data. We monitored fracture deformation at a cirque headwall in the Austria Alps. We found thermo-mechanical expansion and freeze-thaw action as dominant processes for deformation. Our results highlight the importance of liquid water in combination with subzero-temperatures on the destabilisation of glacier headwalls.
Philipp Mamot, Samuel Weber, Tanja Schröder, and Michael Krautblatter
The Cryosphere, 12, 3333–3353, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3333-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-3333-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Most of the observed failures in permafrost-affected alpine rock walls are likely triggered by the mechanical destabilisation of warming bedrock permafrost including ice-filled joints. We present a systematic study of the brittle shear failure of ice and rock–ice contacts along rock joints in a simulated depth ≤ 30 m and at temperatures from −10 to −0.5 °C. Warming and sudden reduction in rock overburden due to the detachment of an upper rock mass lead to a significant drop in shear resistance.
Wen Nie, Michael Krautblatter, Kerry Leith, Kurosch Thuro, and Judith Festl
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 1595–1610, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-17-1595-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-17-1595-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Deep-seated landslides are an important and widespread natural hazard within alpine regions and can have a massive impact on infrastructure. Pore water pressure plays an important role in determining the stability of hydro-triggered deep-seated landslides. Here we demonstrate a modified tank model for deep-seated landslides that includes snow and infiltration effects and can effectively predict changes in pore water pressure in alpine environments.
Samuel Weber, Jan Beutel, Jérome Faillettaz, Andreas Hasler, Michael Krautblatter, and Andreas Vieli
The Cryosphere, 11, 567–583, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-567-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-567-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We present a 8-year continuous time series of measured fracture kinematics and thermal conditions on steep permafrost bedrock at Hörnligrat, Matterhorn. Based on this unique dataset and a conceptual model for strong fractured bedrock, we develop a novel quantitative approach that allows to separate reversible from irreversible fracture kinematics and assign the dominant forcing. A new index of irreversibility provides useful indication for the occurrence and timing of irreversible displacements.
Z. Wang, K. Van Oost, A. Lang, T. Quine, W. Clymans, R. Merckx, B. Notebaert, and G. Govers
Biogeosciences, 11, 873–883, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-873-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-11-873-2014, 2014
T. Hoffmann, S. M. Mudd, K. van Oost, G. Verstraeten, G. Erkens, A. Lang, H. Middelkoop, J. Boyle, J. O. Kaplan, J. Willenbring, and R. Aalto
Earth Surf. Dynam., 1, 45–52, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-1-45-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-1-45-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Physical: Geomorphology (including all aspects of fluvial, coastal, aeolian, hillslope and glacial geomorphology)
Multiple equilibrium configurations in river-dominated deltas
Investigating the celerity of propagation for small perturbations and dispersive sediment aggradation under a supercritical flow
Short communication: Multiscale topographic complexity analysis with pyTopoComplexity
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
Influence of alluvial slope on avulsion in river deltas
Surficial sediment remobilization by shear between sediment and water above tsunamigenic megathrust ruptures: experimental study
Haloturbation in the northern Atacama Desert revealed by a hidden subsurface network of calcium sulfate wedges
An evaluation of flow-routing algorithms for calculating contributing area on regular grids
Geometric constraints on tributary fluvial network junction angles
Effect of grain-sorting waves on alternate bar dynamics: Implications of the breakdown of the hydrograph boundary layer
Automatic detection of floating instream large wood in videos using deep learning
Investigating uncertainty and parameter sensitivity in bedform analysis by using a Monte Carlo approach
Geomorphic imprint of high-mountain floods: insights from the 2022 hydrological extreme across the upper Indus River catchment in the northwestern Himalayas
Short communication: Learning How Landscapes Evolve with Neural Operators
A numerical model for duricrust formation by water table fluctuations
Width evolution of channel belts as a random walk
Evidence of slow millennial cliff retreat rates using cosmogenic nuclides in coastal colluvium
Equilibrium distance from long-range dune interactions
Examination of analytical shear stress predictions for coastal dune evolution
Localised geomorphic response to channel-spanning leaky wooden dams
Post-fire evolution of ravel transport regimes in the Diablo Range, CA
Landscape response to tectonic deformation and cyclic climate change since ca. 800 ka in the southern central Andes
The Aare main overdeepening on the northern margin of the European Alps: basins, riegels, and slot canyons
Surface grain-size mapping of braided channels from SfM photogrammetry
A simple model for faceted topographies at normal faults based on an extended stream-power law
Testing floc settling velocity models in rivers and freshwater wetlands
River suspended-sand flux computation with uncertainty estimation using water samples and high-resolution ADCP measurements
Barchan swarm dynamics from a Two-Flank Agent-Based Model
A landslide runout model for sediment transport, landscape evolution, and hazard assessment applications
Tracking slow-moving landslides with PlanetScope data: new perspectives on the satellite's perspective
Topographic metrics for unveiling fault segmentation and tectono-geomorphic evolution with insights into the impact of inherited topography, Ulsan Fault Zone, South Korea
Biomechanical parameters of marram grass (Calamagrostis arenaria) for advanced modeling of dune vegetation
Acceleration of coastal-retreat rates for high-Arctic rock cliffs on Brøggerhalvøya, Svalbard, over the past decade
The impact of bedrock meander cutoffs on 50 kyr scale incision rates, San Juan River, Utah
Sediment aggradation rates for Himalayan Rivers revealed through SAR remote sensing
Spatiotemporal denudation rates of the Swabian Alb escarpment (Southwest Germany) dominated by base-level lowering and lithology
Use of simple analytical solutions in the calibration of Shallow Water Equations debris flow models
How water, temperature, and seismicity control the preconditioning of massive rock slope failure (Hochvogel)
Large structure simulation for landscape evolution models
Terrace formation linked to outburst floods at the Diexi palaeo-landslide dam, upper Minjiang River, eastern Tibetan Plateau
AI-Based Tracking of Fast-Moving Alpine Landforms Using High Frequency Monoscopic Time-Lapse Imagery
Pliocene shorelines and the epeirogenic motion of continental margins: a target dataset for dynamic topography models
Decadal-scale decay of landslide-derived fluvial suspended sediment after Typhoon Morakot
Role of the forcing sources in morphodynamic modelling of an embayed beach
A machine learning approach to the geomorphometric detection of ribbed moraines in Norway
Stream hydrology controls on ice cliff evolution and survival on debris-covered glaciers
Time-varying drainage basin development and erosion on volcanic edifices
Geomorphic risk maps for river migration using probabilistic modeling – a framework
Evolution of submarine canyons and hanging-wall fans: insights from geomorphic experiments and morphodynamic models
Riverine sediment response to deforestation in the Amazon basin
Lorenzo Durante, Nicoletta Tambroni, and Michele Bolla Pittaluga
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 455–471, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-455-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-455-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
River deltas evolve due to natural forces and human activities, posing challenges for communities relying on stable water flow. This study examines how different flow distributions shape delta channels. Using a new theoretical model, we identify branch length as the key factor influencing stability. Applying this to Italy's Po River Delta, we highlight areas at risk of change, providing insights for better management and planning.
Hasan Eslami, Erfan Poursoleymanzadeh, Mojtaba Hiteh, Keivan Tavakoli, Melika Yavari Nia, Ehsan Zadehali, Reihaneh Zarrabi, and Alessio Radice
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 437–454, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-437-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-437-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A channel may be aggraded by overloaded sediment. In this study we realize an aggradation experiment and determine the celerity at which an aggradation wave, due to sediment overloading, migrates. We also investigate the celerity of small perturbations, as quantified by mathematical formulations. The celerities of the two kinds are correlated with each other. However, the celerity of small perturbations is larger than the other one, which is less than a few percent of the water velocity.
Larry Syu-Heng Lai, Adam M. Booth, Alison R. Duvall, and Erich Herzig
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 417–435, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-417-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-417-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
pyTopoComplexity is an open-source Python tool for multiscale land surface complexity analysis. Applied to a landslide-affected area in Washington, USA, it accurately identified landform features at various scales, enhancing our understanding of landform recovery after disturbances. By integrating with Landlab’s landscape evolution simulations, the software allows researchers to explore how different processes drive the evolution of surface complexity in response to natural forces.
Dominik Amschwand, Jonas Wicky, Martin Scherler, Martin Hoelzle, Bernhard Krummenacher, Anna Haberkorn, Christian Kienholz, and Hansueli Gubler
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 365–401, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-365-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-365-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Rock glaciers are comparatively climate-robust permafrost landforms. We estimated the energy budget of the seasonally thawing active layer (AL) of Murtèl rock glacier (Swiss Alps) based on a novel sub-surface sensor array. In the coarse blocky AL, heat is transferred by thermal radiation and air convection. The ground heat flux is largely spent on melting seasonal ice in the AL. Convective cooling and the seasonal ice turnover make rock glaciers climate-robust and shield the permafrost beneath.
Octria A. Prasojo, Trevor B. Hoey, Amanda Owen, and Richard D. Williams
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 349–363, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-349-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-349-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Decades of delta avulsion (i.e. channel abrupt jump) studies have not resolved what the main controls of delta avulsion are. Using a computer model, integrated with field observation, analytical, and laboratory-made deltas, we found that the sediment load, which itself is controlled by the steepness of the river upstream of a delta, controls the timing of avulsion. We can now better understand the main cause of abrupt channel changes in deltas, a finding that aids flood risk management in river deltas.
Chloé Seibert, Cecilia McHugh, Chris Paola, Leonardo Seeber, and James Tucker
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 341–348, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-341-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-341-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We propose a new mechanism of co-seismic sediment entrainment induced by shear stress at the sediment–water interface during major subduction earthquakes rupturing to the trench. Physical experiments show that flow velocities consistent with long-period earthquake motions can entrain synthetic marine sediment, and high-frequency vertical shaking can enhance this mobilization. They validate the proposed entrainment mechanism, which opens new avenues for paleoseismology in deep-sea environments.
Aline Zinelabedin, Joel Mohren, Maria Wierzbicka-Wieczorek, Tibor Janos Dunai, Stefan Heinze, and Benedikt Ritter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 257–276, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-257-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-257-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In order to interpret the formation processes of subsurface salt wedges and polygonal patterned grounds from the northern Atacama Desert, we present a multi-methodological approach. Due to the high salt content of the wedges, we suggest that their formation is dominated by subsurface salt dynamics requiring moisture. We assume that the climatic conditions during the wedge growth were slightly wetter than today, offering the potential to use the wedges as palaeoclimate archives.
Alexander B. Prescott, Jon D. Pelletier, Satya Chataut, and Sriram Ananthanarayan
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 239–256, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-239-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-239-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Many Earth surface processes are controlled by the spatial pattern of surface water flow. We review commonly used methods for predicting such spatial patterns in digital landform models and document the pros and cons of commonly used methods. We propose a new method that is designed to minimize those limitations and show that it works well in a variety of test cases.
Jon D. Pelletier, Robert G. Hayes, Olivia Hoch, Brendan Fenerty, and Luke A. McGuire
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 219–238, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-219-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-219-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We demonstrate that landscapes with more planar initial conditions tend to have lower mean junction angles. Geomorphic processes on alluvial piedmonts result in especially planar initial conditions, consistent with a correlation between junction angles and the presence/absence of Late Cenozoic alluvial deposits and the constraint imposed by the intersection of planar approximations to the topography upslope from tributary junctions. We caution against using junction angles to infer paleoclimate.
Soichi Tanabe and Toshiki Iwasaki
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-103, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-103, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We try to understand how the sediment supply from the upstream river reach affect the downstream river morphology using a numerical model. If the supplied sediment is composed of variety of size class of particles, a small size bed wave that is composed of mainly fine particles (sorting wave) can propagate to downstream very long distance. However, presence of bars suppresses the effect of sorting wave greatly, and thus the sediment supply has limited role in the downstream river morphology.
Janbert Aarnink, Tom Beucler, Marceline Vuaridel, and Virginia Ruiz-Villanueva
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 167–189, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-167-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-167-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a novel convolutional-neural-network approach for detecting instream large wood in rivers, addressing the need for flexible monitoring methods across diverse data sources. Using a database of 15 228 fully labelled images, the model achieved a weighted mean average precision of 67 %. Fine-tuning parameters and sampling techniques can improve performance by over 10 % in some cases, offering valuable insights into ecosystem management.
Julius Reich and Axel Winterscheid
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 191–217, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-191-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-191-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Analyzing the geometry and the dynamics of riverine bedforms (so-called dune tracking) is important for various fields of application and contributes to sound and efficient river and sediment management. We developed a workflow that enables a robust estimation of bedform characteristics and with which comprehensive sensitivity analyses can be carried out. Using a field dataset, we show that the setting of input parameters in bedform analyses can have a significant impact on the results.
Abhishek Kashyap, Kristen L. Cook, and Mukunda Dev Behera
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 147–166, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-147-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-147-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Short-lived, high-magnitude flood events across high mountain regions leave substantial geomorphic imprints, which are frequently triggered by excess precipitation, glacial lake outbursts, and natural dam breaches. These catastrophic floods highlight the importance of understanding the complex interaction between climatic, hydrological, and geological forces in bedrock catchments. Extreme floods can have long-term geomorphic consequences on river morphology and fluvial processes.
Gareth G. Roberts
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-307, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-307, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The use of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to learn how landscapes evolve is demonstrated. A few ‘snapshots' of an eroding landscape at different stages of its history provide enough information for AI to ascertain rules governing its evolution. Once the rules are known, predicting landscape evolution is extremely rapid and efficient, providing new tools to understand landscape change.
Caroline Fenske, Jean Braun, François Guillocheau, and Cécile Robin
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 119–146, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-119-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-119-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We have developed a new numerical model to represent the formation of duricrusts, which are hard mineral layers found in soils and at the surface of the Earth. We assume that the formation mechanism implies variations in the height of the water table and that the hardening rate is proportional to precipitation. The model allows us to quantify the potential feedbacks they generate on the surface topography and the thickness of the regolith/soil layer.
Jens M. Turowski, Fergus McNab, Aaron Bufe, and Stefanie Tofelde
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 97–117, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-97-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-97-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Channel belts comprise the area affected by a river due to lateral migration and floods. As a landform, they affect water resources and flood hazard, and they often host unique ecological communities. We develop a model describing the evolution of channel-belt area over time. The model connects the behaviour of the river to the evolution of the channel belt over a timescale of centuries. A comparison to selected data from experiments and real river systems verifies the random walk approach.
Rémi Bossis, Vincent Regard, Sébastien Carretier, and Sandrine Choy
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 71–79, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-71-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-71-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The erosion of rocky coasts occurs episodically through wave action and landslides, constituting a major natural hazard. Documenting the factors that control the coastal retreat rate over millennia is fundamental to evidencing any change in time. However, the known rates to date are essentially representative of the last few decades. Here, we present a new method using the concentration of an isotope, 10Be, in sediment eroded from the cliff to quantify its retreat rate averaged over millennia.
Jean Vérité, Clément Narteau, Olivier Rozier, Jeanne Alkalla, Laurie Barrier, and Sylvain Courrech du Pont
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 23–39, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-23-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-23-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Using a numerical model in 2D, we study how two identical dunes interact with each other when exposed to reversing winds. Depending on the distance between the dunes, they either repel or attract each other until they reach an equilibrium distance, which is controlled by the wind strength, wind reversal frequency, and dune size. This process is controlled by the modification of wind flow over dunes of various shapes, influencing the sediment transport downstream.
Orie Cecil, Nicholas Cohn, Matthew Farthing, Sourav Dutta, and Andrew Trautz
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 1–22, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-1-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-1-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Using computational fluid dynamics, we analyze the error trends of an analytical shear stress distribution model used to drive aeolian transport for coastal dunes, which are an important line of defense against storm-related flooding hazards. We find that compared to numerical simulations, the analytical model results in a net overprediction of the landward migration rate. Additionally, two data-driven approaches are proposed for reducing the error while maintaining computational efficiency.
Joshua M. Wolstenholme, Christopher J. Skinner, David J. Milan, Robert E. Thomas, and Daniel R. Parsons
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3001, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3001, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Leaky wooden dams are a popular form of natural flood management used to slow the flow of water by increasing floodplain connectivity whilst decreasing connectivity along the river profile. By monitoring two leaky wooden dams in North Yorkshire, UK, we present the geomorphological response to their installation, highlighting that the structures significantly increase channel complexity in response to different river flow conditions.
Hayden L. Jacobson, Danica L. Roth, Gabriel Walton, Margaret Zimmer, and Kerri Johnson
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1415–1446, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1415-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1415-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Loose grains travel farther after a fire because no vegetation is left to stop them. This matters since loose grains at the base of a slope can turn into a debris flow if it rains. To find if grass growing back after a fire had different impacts on grains of different sizes on slopes of different steepness, we dropped thousands of natural grains and measured how far they went. Large grains went farther 7 months after the fire than 11 months after, and small grain movement didn’t change much.
Elizabeth N. Orr, Taylor F. Schildgen, Stefanie Tofelde, Hella Wittmann, and Ricardo N. Alonso
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1391–1413, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1391-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1391-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Fluvial terraces and alluvial fans in the Toro Basin, NW Argentina, record river evolution and global climate cycles over time. Landform dating reveals lower-frequency climate cycles (100 kyr) preserved downstream and higher-frequency cycles (21/40 kyr) upstream, supporting theoretical predications that longer rivers filter out higher-frequency climate signals. This finding improves our understanding of the spatial distribution of sedimentary paleoclimate records within landscapes.
Fritz Schlunegger, Edi Kissling, Dimitri Tibo Bandou, Guilhem Amin Douillet, David Mair, Urs Marti, Regina Reber, Patrick Schläfli, and Michael Alfred Schwenk
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1371–1389, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1371-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1371-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Overdeepenings are bedrock depressions filled with sediment. We combine the results of a gravity survey with drilling data to explore the morphology of such a depression beneath the city of Bern. We find that the target overdeepening comprises two basins >200 m deep. They are separated by a bedrock riegel that itself is cut by narrow canyons up to 150 m deep. We postulate that these structures formed underneath a glacier, where erosion by subglacial meltwater caused the formation of the canyons.
Loïs Ribet, Frédéric Liébault, Laurent Borgniet, Michaël Deschâtres, and Gabriel Melun
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3697, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3697, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This work presents a protocol and a model to get the size of the pebbles in mountain rivers from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle images. A set of 12 rivers located in south-eastern France were photographed to build the model. The results show that the model has little error and should be usable for similar rivers. Grain-size of mountain rivers is an important parameter for environmental diagnostics by mapping the aquatic habitats and for flood management by estimating the pebbles fluxes during floods.
Stefan Hergarten
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1315–1327, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1315-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1315-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Faceted topographies are impressive footprints of active tectonics in geomorphology. This paper investigates the evolution of faceted topographies at normal faults and their interaction with a river network theoretically and numerically. As a main result beyond several relations for the geometry of facets, the horizontal displacement associated with normal faults is crucial for the dissection of initially polygonal facets into triangular facets bounded by almost parallel rivers.
Justin A. Nghiem, Gen K. Li, Joshua P. Harringmeyer, Gerard Salter, Cédric G. Fichot, Luca Cortese, and Michael P. Lamb
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1267–1294, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1267-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1267-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Fine sediment grains in freshwater can cohere into faster-settling particles called flocs, but floc settling velocity theory has not been fully validated. Combining three data sources in novel ways in the Wax Lake Delta, we verified a semi-empirical model relying on turbulence and geochemical factors. For a physics-based model, we showed that the representative grain diameter within flocs relies on floc structure and that heterogeneous flow paths inside flocs increase floc settling velocity.
Jessica Marggraf, Guillaume Dramais, Jérôme Le Coz, Blaise Calmel, Benoît Camenen, David J. Topping, William Santini, Gilles Pierrefeu, and François Lauters
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1243–1266, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1243-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1243-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Suspended-sand fluxes in rivers vary with time and space, complicating their measurement. The proposed method captures the vertical and lateral variations of suspended-sand concentration throughout a river cross-section. It merges water samples taken at various positions throughout the cross-section with high-resolution acoustic velocity measurements. This is the first method that includes a fully applicable uncertainty estimation; it can easily be applied to any other study sites.
Dominic T. Robson and Andreas C. W. Baas
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1205–1226, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1205-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1205-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Barchans are fast-moving sand dunes which form large populations (swarms) on Earth and Mars. We show that a small range of model parameters produces swarms in which dune size does not vary downwind – something that is observed in nature but not when using earlier models. We also show how the shape of dunes and the spatial patterns they form are affected by wind direction. This work furthers our understanding of the interplay between environmental drivers, dune interactions, and swarm properties.
Jeffrey Keck, Erkan Istanbulluoglu, Benjamin Campforts, Gregory Tucker, and Alexander Horner-Devine
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1165–1191, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1165-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1165-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
MassWastingRunout (MWR) is a new landslide runout model designed for sediment transport, landscape evolution, and hazard assessment applications. MWR is written in Python and includes a calibration utility that automatically determines best-fit parameters for a site and empirical probability density functions of each parameter for probabilistic model implementation. MWR and Jupyter Notebook tutorials are available as part of the Landlab package at https://github.com/landlab/landlab.
Ariane Mueting and Bodo Bookhagen
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1121–1143, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1121-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1121-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the use of optical PlanetScope data for offset tracking of the Earth's surface movement. We found that co-registration accuracy is locally degraded when outdated elevation models are used for orthorectification. To mitigate this bias, we propose to only correlate scenes acquired from common perspectives or base orthorectification on more up-to-date elevation models generated from PlanetScope data alone. This enables a more detailed analysis of landslide dynamics.
Cho-Hee Lee, Yeong Bae Seong, John Weber, Sangmin Ha, Dong-Eun Kim, and Byung Yong Yu
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1091–1120, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1091-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1091-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Topographic metrics were used to understand changes due to tectonic activity. We evaluated the relative tectonic activity along the Ulsan Fault Zone (UFZ), one of the most active fault zones in South Korea. We divided the UFZ into five segments, based on the spatial variation in activity. We modeled the landscape evolution of the study area and interpreted tectono-geomorphic history during which the northern part of the UFZ experienced asymmetric uplift, while the southern part did not.
Viktoria Kosmalla, Oliver Lojek, Jana Carus, Kara Keimer, Lukas Ahrenbeck, Björn Mehrtens, David Schürenkamp, Boris Schröder, and Nils Goseberg
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2688, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2688, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study analysed seasonal biomechanical traits of marram grass at two coastal dune sites using monthly field and lab data acquired 2022. Differences in density, leaf length, and flower stems were observed, which are unaffected by wind and deemed transferable. These findings enable surrogate model development for numerical and physical experiments alike, where live vegetation is impractical. Results address the knowledge gap how dune stability and erosion resistance are affected by vegetation.
Juditha Aga, Livia Piermattei, Luc Girod, Kristoffer Aalstad, Trond Eiken, Andreas Kääb, and Sebastian Westermann
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1049–1070, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1049-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1049-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Coastal rock cliffs on Svalbard are considered to be fairly stable; however, long-term trends in coastal-retreat rates remain unknown. This study examines changes in the coastline position along Brøggerhalvøya, Svalbard, using aerial images from 1970, 1990, 2010, and 2021. Our analysis shows that coastal-retreat rates accelerate during the period 2010–2021, which coincides with increasing storminess and retreating sea ice.
Aaron T. Steelquist, Gustav B. Seixas, Mary L. Gillam, Sourav Saha, Seulgi Moon, and George E. Hilley
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1071–1089, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1071-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1071-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The rates at which rivers erode their bed can be used to interpret the geologic history of a region. However, these rates depend significantly on the time window over which you measure. We use multiple dating methods to determine an incision rate for the San Juan River and compare it to regional rates with longer timescales. We demonstrate how specific geologic events, such as cutoffs of bedrock meander bends, are likely to preserve material we can date but also bias the rates we measure.
Jingqiu Huang and Hugh D. Sinclair
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2600, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2600, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses radar technology to track tiny changes in riverbeds elevation in Himalayan Rivers as they flow onto the Gangetic Plains. By analyzing data from 2016 to 2021, we found that sediment builds up in seasonally dry (ephemeral) rivers during monsoon seasons, while the surrounding floodplains is sinking. This research is important for understanding how these elevation changes affect flood risks in rapidly growing communities in Nepal and India. Our findings can improve flood management.
Mirjam Schaller, Daniel Peifer, Alexander B. Neely, Thomas Bernard, Christoph Glotzbach, Alexander R. Beer, and Todd A. Ehlers
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2729, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2729, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study reports chemical weathering, physical erosion, and total denudation rates from river load data in the Swabian Alb, Southwest Germany. Tributaries to the Neckar River draining to the North show higher rates than tributaries draining to the South into the Danube River causing a retreat of the Swabian Alb escarpment. Observations are discussed in the light of lithology, climate, and topography. The data are further compared to other rates over space and time as well as to global data.
Riccardo Bonomelli, Marco Pilotti, and Gabriele Farina
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2267, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2267, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Debris flows are fundamental components of the hazard in mountain regions and numerical models must be used for the related risk computation. Most existing commercial software strongly conceptualizes the main characteristics of the flow, leading to an inevitable calibration process, that is time-consuming and difficult to accomplish. This contribution offers some physically based solutions to confine the calibration process and to better understand the implications of the selected choice.
Johannes Leinauer, Michael Dietze, Sibylle Knapp, Riccardo Scandroglio, Maximilian Jokel, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1027–1048, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1027-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1027-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Massive rock slope failures are a significant alpine hazard and change the Earth's surface. Therefore, we must understand what controls the preparation of such events. By correlating 4 years of slope displacements with meteorological and seismic data, we found that water from rain and snowmelt is the most important driver. Our approach is applicable to similar sites and indicates where future climatic changes, e.g. in rain intensity and frequency, may alter the preparation of slope failure.
Julien Coatléven and Benoit Chauveau
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 995–1026, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-995-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-995-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The aim of this paper is to explain how to incorporate classical water flow routines into landscape evolution models while keeping numerical errors under control. The key idea is to adapt filtering strategies to eliminate anomalous numerical errors and mesh dependencies, as confirmed by convergence tests with analytic solutions. The emergence of complex geomorphic structures is now driven exclusively by nonlinear heterogeneous physical processes rather than by random numerical artifacts.
Jingjuan Li, John D. Jansen, Xuanmei Fan, Zhiyong Ding, Shugang Kang, and Marco Lovati
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 953–971, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-953-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-953-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we investigated the geomorphology, sedimentology, and chronology of Tuanjie (seven terraces) and Taiping (three terraces) terraces in Diexi, eastern Tibetan Plateau. Results highlight that two damming and three outburst events occurred in the area during the late Pleistocene, and the outburst floods have been a major factor in the formation of tectonically active mountainous river terraces. Tectonic activity and climatic changes play a minor role.
Hanne Hendrickx, Xabier Blanch, Melanie Elias, Reynald Delaloye, and Anette Eltner
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2570, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2570, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study introduces a novel AI-based method to track and analyse the movement of rock glaciers and landslides, key indicators of permafrost dynamics in high mountain regions. Using time-lapse images, our approach provides detailed velocity data, revealing patterns that traditional methods miss. This cost-effective tool enhances our ability to monitor geohazards, offering insights into climate change impacts on permafrost and improving safety in alpine areas.
Andrew Hollyday, Maureen E. Raymo, Jacqueline Austermann, Fred Richards, Mark Hoggard, and Alessio Rovere
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 883–905, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-883-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-883-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Sea level was significantly higher during the Pliocene epoch, around 3 million years ago. The present-day elevations of shorelines that formed in the past provide a data constraint on the extent of ice sheet melt and the global sea level response under warm Pliocene conditions. In this study, we identify 10 escarpments that formed from wave-cut erosion during Pliocene times and compare their elevations with model predictions of solid Earth deformation processes to estimate past sea level.
Gregory A. Ruetenik, Ken L. Ferrier, and Odin Marc
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 863–881, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-863-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-863-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Fluvial sediment fluxes increased dramatically in Taiwan during Typhoon Morakot in 2009, which produced some of the heaviest landsliding on record. We analyzed fluvial discharge and suspended sediment concentration data at 87 gauging stations across Taiwan to quantify fluvial sediment responses since Morakot. In basins heavily impacted by landsliding, rating curve coefficients sharply increased during Morakot and then declined exponentially with a characteristic decay time of <10 years.
Nil Carrion-Bertran, Albert Falqués, Francesca Ribas, Daniel Calvete, Rinse de Swart, Ruth Durán, Candela Marco-Peretó, Marta Marcos, Angel Amores, Tim Toomey, Àngels Fernández-Mora, and Jorge Guillén
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 819–839, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-819-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-819-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The sensitivity to the wave and sea-level forcing sources in predicting a 6-month embayed beach evolution is assessed using two different morphodynamic models. After a successful model calibration using in situ data, other sources are applied. The wave source choice is critical: hindcast data provide wrong results due to an angle bias, whilst the correct dynamics are recovered with the wave conditions from an offshore buoy. The use of different sea-level sources gives no significant differences.
Thomas J. Barnes, Thomas V. Schuler, Simon Filhol, and Karianne S. Lilleøren
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 801–818, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-801-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-801-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we use machine learning to automatically outline landforms based on their characteristics. We test several methods to identify the most accurate and then proceed to develop the most accurate to improve its accuracy further. We manage to outline landforms with 65 %–75 % accuracy, at a resolution of 10 m, thanks to high-quality/high-resolution elevation data. We find that it is possible to run this method at a country scale to quickly produce landform inventories for future studies.
Eric Petersen, Regine Hock, and Michael G. Loso
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 727–745, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-727-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-727-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ice cliffs are melt hot spots that increase melt rates on debris-covered glaciers which otherwise see a reduction in melt rates. In this study, we show how surface runoff streams contribute to the generation, evolution, and survival of ice cliffs by carving into the glacier and transporting rocky debris. On Kennicott Glacier, Alaska, 33 % of ice cliffs are actively influenced by streams, while nearly half are within 10 m of streams.
Daniel O'Hara, Liran Goren, Roos M. J. van Wees, Benjamin Campforts, Pablo Grosse, Pierre Lahitte, Gabor Kereszturi, and Matthieu Kervyn
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 709–726, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-709-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-709-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding how volcanic edifices develop drainage basins remains unexplored in landscape evolution. Using digital evolution models of volcanoes with varying ages, we quantify the geometries of their edifices and associated drainage basins through time. We find that these metrics correlate with edifice age and are thus useful indicators of a volcano’s history. We then develop a generalized model for how volcano basins develop and compare our results to basin evolution in other settings.
Brayden Noh, Omar Wani, Kieran B. J. Dunne, and Michael P. Lamb
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 691–708, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-691-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-691-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we propose a framework for generating risk maps that provide the probabilities of erosion due to river migration. This framework uses concepts from probability theory to learn the river migration model's parameter values from satellite data while taking into account parameter uncertainty. Our analysis shows that such geomorphic risk estimation is more reliable than models that do not explicitly consider various sources of variability and uncertainty.
Steven Y. J. Lai, David Amblas, Aaron Micallef, and Hervé Capart
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 621–640, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-621-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-621-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores the creation of submarine canyons and hanging-wall fans on active faults, which can be defined by gravity-dominated breaching and underflow-dominated diffusion processes. The study reveals the self-similarity in canyon–fan long profiles, uncovers Hack’s scaling relationship and proposes a formula to estimate fan volume using canyon length. This is validated by global data from source-to-sink systems, providing insights into deep-water sedimentary processes.
Anuska Narayanan, Sagy Cohen, and John R. Gardner
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 581–599, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-581-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-581-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the profound impact of deforestation in the Amazon on sediment dynamics. Novel remote sensing data and statistical analyses reveal significant changes, especially in heavily deforested regions, with rapid effects within a year. In less disturbed areas, a 1- to 2-year lag occurs, influenced by natural sediment shifts and human activities. These findings highlight the need to understand the consequences of human activity for our planet's future.
Cited articles
Abellán, A., Calvet, J., Vilaplana, J. M., and Blanchard, J.: Detection
and spatial prediction of rockfalls by means of terrestrial laser scanner
monitoring, Geomorphology, 119, 162–171, 2010.
Abellán, A., Vilaplana, J. M., Calvet, J., García-Sellés, D., and Asensio, E.: Rockfall monitoring by Terrestrial Laser Scanning – case study of the basaltic rock face at Castellfollit de la Roca (Catalonia, Spain), Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 11, 829–841, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-11-829-2011, 2011.
Åkerman, H. J.: Notes on chemical weathering, Kapp Linné,
Spitsbergen, Fourth International Permafrost Conference Proceedings, 10–15, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, 18–22 July 1983.
Allen, S. K., Cox, S. C., and Owens, I. F.: Rock avalanches and other
landslides in the central Southern Alps of New Zealand: a regional study
considering possible climate change impacts, Landslides, 8, 33–48, 2011.
Andrews, J. T. and LeMasurier, W. E.: Rates of Quaternary Glacial Erosion
and Corrie Formation, Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica. Geology, 1, 75–80,
1973.
Arenson, L. U., Philips, M., and Springman, S. M.: Geotechnical
considerations and technical solutions for infrastructure in mountain
permafrost, in New Permafrost and Glacier Research, edited by: Krugger, M.
I. and Stern, H. P., Nova Science Publishers, New York, USA, 3–50, 2009.
Ballantyne, C. K. and Benn, D. I.: Paraglacial Slope Adjustment and
Resedimentation Following Recent Glacier Retreat, Fabergstolsdalen, Norway,
Arct. Alp. Res., 26, 255–269, 1994.
Ballantyne, C. K.: Paraglacial geomorphology, Quaternary Sci. Rev., 21,
1935–2017, 2002.
Ballantyne, C. K.: Periglacial Geomorphology, John Wiley and Sons,
Chichester, 2018.
Barlow, J., Lim, M., Rosser, N., Petley, D., Brain, M., Norman, E., and
Geer, M.: Modeling cliff erosion using negative power law scaling of
rockfalls, Geomorphology, 139–140, 416–424, 2012.
Barr, I. D. and Spagnolo, M.: Palaeoglacial and palaeoclimatic conditions in
the NW Pacific, as revealed by a morphometric analysis of cirques upon the
Kamchatka Peninsula, Geomorphology, 192, 15–29, 2013.
Barr, I. D. and Spagnolo, M.: Glacial cirques as palaeoenvironmental
indicators: their potential and limitations, Earth-Sci. Rev., 151, 48–78,
2015.
Barsch, D.: Eine Abschätzung von Schuttproduktion und Schutttransport im
Bereich aktiver Blockgletscher der Schweizer Alpen, Z. Geomorphol., 28,
148–160, 1977.
Benn, D. I. and Evans, D. J. A.: Glaciers & Glaciation, Routledge Taylor
& Francis Group, London and New York, 2010.
Bennett, M. R. and Glasser, N. F.: Glacial Geology, Wiley-Blackwell,
Chichester, UK, 2009.
Bennett, G. L., Molnar, P., Eisenbeiss, H., and McArdell, B. W.: Erosional
power in the Swiss Alps: characterization of slope failure in the Illgraben,
Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 37, 1627–1640, 2012.
Bennett, G. L., Molnar, P., McArdell, B. W., and Burlando, P.: A
probabilistic sediment cascade model of sediment transfer in the Illgraben,
Water Resour. Res., 50, 1225–1244, 2014.
Bieniawski, Z. T.: Classification of Rock Masses for Engineering: The RMR
System and Future Trends, in Comprehensive rock engineering, Principles,
practice & projects, edited by: Hudson, J. A. and Brown E. T., First
Edition, Pergamon Press, New York, USA, 553–573, 1993.
Blöschl, G. and Sivapalan, M.: Scale issues in hydrological modelling: A
review, Hydrol. Process., 9, 251–290, 1995.
Bommer, C., Phillips, M., and Arenson, L. U.: Practical recommendations for
planning, constructing and maintaining infrastructure in mountain
permafrost, Permafrost Periglac., 21, 97–104, 2010.
Brocklehurst, S. H. and Whipple, K. X.: Glacial erosion and relief
production in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, California, Geomorphology, 42,
1–24, 2002.
Brook, M. S., Kirkbride, M. P., and Brock, B. W.: Cirque development in a
steadily uplifting range: rates of erosion and long-term morphometric change
in alpine cirques in the Ben Ohau Range, New Zealand, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 31, 1167–1175, 2006.
Brunetti, M. T., Guzzetti, F., and Rossi, M.: Probability distributions of landslide volumes, Nonlin. Processes Geophys., 16, 179–188, https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-16-179-2009, 2009.
Chen, Y. and Medioni, G.: Object modelling by registration of multiple range
images, Image Vision Comput., 10, 145–155, 1992.
Clauset, A., Shalizi, C. R., and Newman, M. E. J.: Power-Law Distributions
in Empirical Data, Siam. Rev., 51, 661–703, 2009.
Cornelius, H. and Clar, E.: Erläuterungen zur geologischen Karte des
Glocknergebietes, Geologische Bundesanstalt, Vienna, 32 pp., 1935.
Cossart, E., Braucher, R., Fort, M., Bourlès, D. L., and Carcaillet, J.:
Slope instability in relation to glacial debuttressing in alpine areas
(Upper Durance catchment, southeastern France): Evidence from field data and
10Be cosmic ray exposure ages, Geomorphology, 95, 3–26, 2008.
Crest, Y., Delmas, M., Braucher, R., Gunnell, Y., and Calvet, M.: Cirques
have growth spurts during deglacial and interglacial periods: Evidence from
10Be and 26Al nuclide inventories in the central and eastern Pyrenees,
Geomorphology, 278, 60–77, 2017.
Crozier, M. J.: The frequency and magnitude of geomorphic processes and
landform behaviour, Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie N.F. Supplement
Volumes, 115, 35–50, 1999.
de Haas, T., Conway, S. J., and Krautblatter, M.: Recent (Late Amazonian)
enhanced backweathering rates on Mars: Paracratering evidence from gully
alcoves, J. Geophys. Res.-Planet., 120, 2169–2189, 2015.
Delmas, M., Calvet, M., and Gunnell, Y.: Variability of Quaternary glacial
erosion rates – A global perspective with special reference to the Eastern
Pyrenees, Quaternary Sci. Rev., 28, 484–498, 2009.
Delmas, M., Gunnell, Y., and Calvet, M.: A critical appraisal of allometric
growth among alpine cirques based on multivariate statistics and spatial
analysis, Geomorphology, 228, 637–652, 2015.
Densmore, A. L., Anderson, R. S., McAdoo, B. G., and Ellis, M. A.: Hillslope
Evolution by Bedrock Landslides, Science, 275, 369–372, 1997.
Derron, M.-H. and Jaboyedoff, M.: Preface “LIDAR and DEM techniques for landslides monitoring and characterization”, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 10, 1877–1879, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-10-1877-2010, 2010.
Dionne, J. C. and Michaud, Y. : Note sur 1'altération chimique en milieu
périglaciaire, Hudsonie, Québec subarctique, Revue de Geomorphologie
Dynamique, 35, 81–92, 1986.
Draebing, D. and Krautblatter, M.: The Efficacy of Frost Weathering
Processes in Alpine Rockwalls, Geophys. Res. Lett., 46, 6516–6524, 2019.
Dussauge-Peisser, C., Helmstetter, A., Grasso, J.-R., Hantz, D., Desvarreux, P., Jeannin, M., and Giraud, A.: Probabilistic approach to rock fall hazard assessment: potential of historical data analysis, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 2, 15–26, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-2-15-2002, 2002.
Dussauge, C., Grasso, J.-R., and Helmstetter, A.: Statistical analysis of
rockfall volume distributions: Implications for rockfall dynamics, J. Geophys. Res.-Sol. Ea.: Solid Earth, 108, 2003.
Evans, I. S.: Process and form in the erosion of glaciated mountains, in
Process and Form in Geomorphology, edited by: Stoddart, D. R., Routledge,
London, UK, 145–174, 1997.
Evans, I. S.: Allometric development of glacial cirque form: Geological,
relief and regional effects on the cirques of Wales, Geomorphology, 80,
245–266, 2006.
Ewald, A., Hartmeyer, I., Keuschnig, M., Lang, A., and Otto, J.-C.: Fracture
Dynamics In An Unstable, Deglaciating Headwall, Kitzsteinhorn, Austria, EGU
General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, 7–12 April 2019, 2019.
Federici, P. R. and Spagnolo, M.: Morphometric analysis on the size, shape
and areal distribution of glacial cirques in the maritime alps (western
french-italian alps), Geogr. Ann. A., 86, 235–248, 2004.
Fischer, A., Olefs, M., and Abermann, J.: Glaciers, snow and ski tourism in
Austria's changing climate, Ann. Glaciol., 52, 89-96, 2011.
Fischer, A., Patzelt, G., Achrainer, M., Groß, G., Lieb, G. K.,
Kellerer-Pirklbauer A., and Bendler G.: Gletscher im Wandel: 125 Jahre
Gletschermessdienst des Alpenvereins, Springer Spektrum, Berlin, Heidelberg,
Germany, 2018.
Fischer, L., Kääb, A., Huggel, C., and Noetzli, J.: Geology, glacier retreat and permafrost degradation as controlling factors of slope instabilities in a high-mountain rock wall: the Monte Rosa east face, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 6, 761–772, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-6-761-2006, 2006.
Fischer, L., Purves, R. S., Huggel, C., Noetzli, J., and Haeberli, W.: On the influence of topographic, geological and cryospheric factors on rock avalanches and rockfalls in high-mountain areas, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 12, 241–254, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-12-241-2012, 2012.
Francou, B.: L'eboulisation en Haute Montagne (Alpes, Andes), Contribution
à l'etude du systeme corniche-eboulis en milieu periglaciaire, These
d'Etat, Editec, Caen, France, 696 pp., 1988.
Gardner, J. S.: Evidence for Headwall Weathering Zones, Boundary Glacier,
Canadian Rocky Mountains, J. Glaciol., 33, 60–67, 1987.
Gillespie, C. S.: Fitting Heavy Tailed Distributions: The poweRlaw Package,
J. Stat. Softw., 64, 2015.
Grämiger, L., Moore, J. R., Gischig, V. S., and Loew, S.:
Thermomechanical Stresses Drive Damage of Alpine Valley Rock Walls During
Repeat Glacial Cycles, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 123, 2620–2646, 2018.
Grout, M.: Amount and rate of Holocene cirque erosion, Northern Sangre de
Cristo Mountains, Colorado, Geological Society of America Abstracts with
Programs, 11, 273–274, 1979.
Guthrie, R. H. and Evans, S. G.: Work, persistence, and formative events:
The geomorphic impact of landslides, Geomorphology, 88, 266–275, 2007.
Guzzetti, F., Reichenbach, P., and Wieczorek, G. F.: Rockfall hazard and risk assessment in the Yosemite Valley, California, USA, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 3, 491–503, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-3-491-2003, 2003.
Hales, T. C. and Roering, J. J.: Climate-controlled variations in scree
production, Southern Alps, New Zealand, Geology, 33, 701–704, 2005.
Hallet, B.: Glacial Abrasion and Sliding: their Dependence on the Debris
Concentration in Basal Ice, Ann. Glaciol., 2, 23–28, 1981.
Hartmeyer, I., Keuschnig, M., and Schrott, L.: A scale-oriented approach for
the long-term monitoring of ground thermal conditions in permafrost-affected
rock faces, Kitzsteinhorn, Hohe Tauern Range, Austria, Austrian J. Earth Sci., 105, 128–139, 2012.
Hartmeyer, I., Delleske, R., Keuschnig, M., Krautblatter, M., Lang, A., Schrott, L., and Otto, J.-C.: Current glacier recession causes significant rockfall increase: the immediate paraglacial response of deglaciating cirque walls, Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 729–751, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-729-2020, 2020a.
Hartmeyer, I., Delleske, R., Keuschnig, M., and Krautblatter, M.: Rockfall Source Areas, Kitzsteinhorn, Austria (2011–2017), mediaTUM, https://doi.org/10.14459/2020mp1540134, 2020b.
Heckmann, T., Bimböse, M., Krautblatter, M., Haas, F., Becht, M., and
Morche, D.: From geotechnical analysis to quantification and modelling using
LiDAR data: a study on rockfall in the Reintal catchment, Bavarian Alps,
Germany, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 37, 119–133, 2012.
Heim, A.: Bergsturz und Menschenleben, Beiblatt zur Viertelsjahrschrift der
Naturforschenden Gesellschaft Zürich 77, 218 pp., 1932.
Heimsath, A. M., and McGlynn, R.: Quantifying periglacial erosion in the
Nepal high Himalaya, Geomorphology, 97, 5–23, 2008.
Hicks, D. M., McSaveney, M. J., and Chinn, T. J. H.: Sedimentation in
Proglacial Ivory Lake, Southern Alps, New Zealand, Arct. Alp. Res., 22,
26–42, 1990.
Hoeck, V., Pestal, G., Brandmaier, P., Clar, E., Cornelius, H., Frank, W.,
Matl, H., Neumayr, P., Petrakakis, K., Stadlmann, T., and Steyrer, H.:
Geologische Karte der Republik Österreich, Blatt 153 Großglockner,
Geologische Bundesanstalt, Vienna, 1994.
Holm, K., Bovis, M., and Jakob, M.: The landslide response of alpine basins
to post-Little Ice Age glacial thinning and retreat in southwestern British
Columbia, Geomorphology, 57, 201–216, 2004.
Hooke, R. L.: Positive feedbacks associated with erosion of glacial cirques
and overdeepenings, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 103, 1104–1108, 1991.
Hovius, N., Stark, C. P., and Allen, P. A.: Sediment flux from a mountain
belt derived by landslide mapping, Geology, 25, 231–234, 1997.
Humlum, O.: The geomorphic significance of rock glaciers: estimates of rock
glacier debris volumes and headwall recession rates in West Greenland,
Geomorphology, 35, 41–67, 2000.
Hungr, O., Evans, S. G., and Hazzard, J.: Magnitude and frequency of rock
falls and rock slides along the main transportation corridors of
southwestern British Columbia, Can. Geotech. J., 36, 224–238, 1999.
Iverson, N. R.: Potential effects of subglacial water-pressure fluctuations
on quarrying, J. Glaciol., 37, 27–36, 1991.
Jaeckli, H.: Gegenwartsgeologie des bündnerischen Rheingebiets, ein
Beitrag zur exogenen Dynamik alpiner Gebirgslandschaften, Beitraege zur
Geologie der Schweiz, Geotechnische Serie 36, 136 pp., 1957.
Johnson, W. D.: The Profile of Maturity in Alpine Glacial Erosion, J. Geol., 12, 569–578, 1904.
Kenner, R., Phillips, M., Danioth, C., Denier, C., Thee, P., and Zgraggen,
A.: Investigation of rock and ice loss in a recently deglaciated mountain
rock wall using terrestrial laser scanning: Gemsstock, Swiss Alps, Cold Reg.
Sci. Technol., 67, 157–164, 2011.
Keuschnig, M., Hartmeyer, I., Höfer-Öllinger, G., Schober, A.,
Krautblatter, M., and Schrott, L.: Permafrost-Related Mass Movements:
Implications from a Rock Slide at the Kitzsteinhorn, Austria, in
Engineering Geology for Society and Territory, edited by: Lollino, G.,
Manconi, A., Clague, J. Shan, W., and Chiarle, M., Springer International
Publishing, Basel, Switzerland, 1, 255–259, 2015.
Keuschnig, M., Krautblatter, M., Hartmeyer, I., Fuss, C., and Schrott, L.:
Automated Electrical Resistivity Tomography Testing for Early Warning in
Unstable Permafrost Rock Walls Around Alpine Infrastructure, Permafrost
Periglac., 28, 158–171, 2016.
Klemeš, V.: Probability of extreme hydrometeorological events - a
different approach, in Extreme Hydrological Events: Precipitation, Floods
and Droughts, edited by: Kundzewicz, Z. W., Rosbjerg D., Simonovic, S. P.,
and Takeuchi, K., IAHS Publication No. 213, Wallingfird, UK, 167–176, 1993.
Korup, O.: Large landslides and their effect on sediment flux in South
Westland, New Zealand, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 30, 305–323, 2005.
Krautblatter, M. and Moser, M.: A nonlinear model coupling rockfall and
rainfall intensity based on a four year measurement in a high Alpine rock
wall (Reintal, German Alps), Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 9, 1425–1432, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-9-1425-2009, 2009.
Krautblatter, M., Moser, M., Schrott, L., Wolf, J., and Morche, D.:
Significance of rockfall magnitude and carbonate dissolution for rock slope
erosion and geomorphic work on Alpine limestone cliffs (Reintal, German
Alps), Geomorphology, 167–168, 21–34, 2012.
Krautblatter, M. and Moore, J. R.: Rock slope instability and erosion:
toward improved process understanding, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 39,
1273–1278, 2014.
Lague, D., Brodu, N., and Leroux, J.: Accurate 3D comparison of complex
topography with terrestrial laser scanner: Application to the Rangitikei
canyon (N-Z), ISPRS J. Photogramm., 82, 10–26, 2013.
Larsen, E. and Mangerud, J.: Erosion Rate of a Younger Dryas Cirque Glacier
at Kråkenes, Western Norway, Ann. Glaciol., 2, 153–158, 1981.
Lato, M. J., Diederichs, M. S., Hutchinson, D. J., and Harrap, R.:
Evaluating roadside rockmasses for rockfall hazards using LiDAR data:
optimizing data collection and processing protocols, Nat. Hazards, 60,
831–864, 2011.
Lewis, W. V.: Glacial Movement by Rotational Slipping, Geogr. Ann. A., 31,
146–158, 1949.
Lim, M., Petley, D. N., Rosser, N. J., Allison, R. J., Long, A. J., and
Pybus, D.: Combined Digital Photogrammetry and Time-of-Flight Laser Scanning
for Monitoring Cliff Evolution, Photogramm. Rec., 20, 109–129, 2005.
Lim, M., Rosser, N. J., Allison, R. J., and Petley, D. N.: Erosional
processes in the hard rock coastal cliffs at Staithes, North Yorkshire,
Geomorphology, 114, 12–21, 2010.
Malamud, B. D., Turcotte, D. L., Guzzetti, F., and Reichenbach, P.:
Landslide inventories and their statistical properties, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 29, 687–711, 2004.
Martonne, E.: Sur la formation des cirques, Ann. Geogr., 10, 10–16, 1901.
McColl, S. T.: Paraglacial rock-slope stability, Geomorphology, 153–154,
1–16, 2012.
Mindrescu, M., and Evans, I. S.: Cirque form and development in Romania:
allometry and the buzz-saw hypothesis, Geomorphology, 208, 117–136, 2014.
Moore, J. R., Sanders, J. W., Dietrich, W. E., and Glaser, S. D.: Influence
of rock mass strength on the erosion rate of alpine cliffs, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 34, 1339–1352, 2009.
Nguyen, H. T., Fernandez-Steeger, T. M., Wiatr, T., Rodrigues, D., and Azzam, R.: Use of terrestrial laser scanning for engineering geological applications on volcanic rock slopes – an example from Madeira island (Portugal), Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 11, 807–817, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-11-807-2011, 2011.
Noetzli, J., Hoelzle, M., and Haeberli, W.: Mountain permafrost and recent
Alpine rock-fall events: a GIS-based approach to determine critical factors,
in Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Permafrost, Zurich,
Switzerland, 21–25 July, 2, 827–832, 2003.
O'Farrell, C.R., Heimsath, A.M., Lawson, D.E., Jorgensen, L.M., Evenson,
E.B., Larson, G., Denner, J.: Quantifying periglacial erosion: insights on a
glacial sediment budget, Matanuska Glacier, Alaska, Earth Surf. Proc.
Land., 34, 2008–2022, 2009.
Oppikofer, T., Jaboyedoff, M., and Keusen, H.-R.: Collapse at the eastern
Eiger flank in the Swiss Alps, Nat. Geosci., 1, 531–535, 2008.
Oppikofer, T., Jaboyedoff, M., Blikra, L., Derron, M.-H., and Metzger, R.: Characterization and monitoring of the Åknes rockslide using terrestrial laser scanning, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 9, 1003–1019, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-9-1003-2009, 2009.
Paine, A. D. M.: 'Ergodic' reasoning in geomorphology: time for a review of
the term?, Prog. Phys. Geog., 9, 1–15, 1985.
Plaesken, R., Keuschnig, M., and Krautblatter M.: Systematic derivation of
anchoring forces in permafrost-affected bedrock, EGU General Assembly,
Vienna, Austria, 23–28 April 2017, 2017.
Purdie, H.: Glacier Retreat and Tourism: Insights from New Zealand, Mt. Res.
Dev., 33, 463–472, 2013.
Purdie, H., Gomez, C., and Espiner, S.: Glacier recession and the changing
rockfall hazard: Implications for glacier tourism, New Zeal. Geogr., 71,
189–202, 2015.
Rabatel, A., Deline, P., Jaillet, S., and Ravanel, L.: Rock falls in
high-alpine rock walls quantified by terrestrial lidar measurements: A case
study in the Mont Blanc area, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, 2008.
Rapp, A.: Recent Development of Mountain Slopes in Kärkevagge and
Surroundings, Northern Scandinavia, Geogr. Ann. A., 42, 65–200, 1960.
Ravanel, L., Allignol, F., Deline, P., Gruber, S., and Ravello, M.: Rock
falls in the Mont Blanc Massif in 2007 and 2008, Landslides, 7, 493–501,
2010.
Ravanel, L. and Deline, P.: Climate influence on rockfalls in high-Alpine
steep rockwalls: The north side of the Aiguilles de Chamonix (Mont Blanc
massif) since the end of the “Little Ice Age”, Holocene, 21, 357–365,
2010.
Ravanel, L., Deline, P., Lambiel, C., and Vincent, C.: Instability of a high
alpine rock ridge: the lower arête des cosmiques, mont blanc massif,
France, Geogr. Ann. A., 95, 51–66, 2013.
Richter, E.: Geomorphologische Untersuchungen in den Hochalpen, Petermann
Geogr. Mitt., 29, 1–103, 1900.
Romana, M.: New adjustment ratings for application of Bieniawski
classification to slopes, Proceedings of the International Symposium on the
Role of Rock Mechanics in Excavations for Mining and Civil Works,
International Society of Rock Mechanics, Zacatecas, 49–53, 1985.
Rosser, N. J., Petley, D. N., Lim, M., Dunning, S. A., and Allison, R. J.:
Terrestrial laser scanning for monitoring the process of hard rock coastal
cliff erosion, Q. J. Eng. Geol. Hydroge., 38, 363–375, 2005.
Rosser, N. J., Lim, M., Petley, D. N., Dunning, S. A., and Allison, R. J.:
Patterns of precursory rockfall prior to slope failure, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 112, 2007.
Sadler, P. M.: Sediment Accumulation Rates and the Completeness of
Stratigraphic Sections, J. Geol., 89, 569–584, 1981.
Sanders, J. W., Cuffey, K. M., Moore, J. R., MacGregor, K. R., and
Kavanaugh, J. L.: Periglacial weathering and headwall erosion in cirque
glacier bergschrunds, Geology, 40, 779–782, 2012.
Sanders, J. W., Cuffey, K. M., MacGregor, K. R., and Collins, B. D.: The
sediment budget of an alpine cirque, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 125, 229–248,
2013.
Sass, O.: Spatial patterns of rockfall intensity in the northern Alps, Z.
Geomorphol., 138, 51-65, 2005.
Sass, O. and Oberlechner, M.: Is climate change causing increased rockfall frequency in Austria?, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 12, 3209–3216, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-12-3209-2012, 2012.
Scherler, D.: Climatic limits to headwall retreat in the Khumbu Himalaya, eastern Nepal, Geology, 42, 1019–1022, 2014.
Scherler, D., Bookhagen, B., and Strecker, M. R.: Hillslope-glacier
coupling: The interplay of topography and glacial dynamics in High Asia, J.
Geophys. Res.-Earth, 116, 2011.
Schlögel, R., Torgoev, I., De Marneffe, C., and Havenith, H.-B.:
Evidence of a changing size-frequency distribution of landslides in the
Kyrgyz Tien Shan, Central Asia, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 36, 1658–1669,
2011.
Schober, A., Bannwart, C., and Keuschnig, M.: Rockfall modelling in high
alpine terrain – validation and limitations/Steinschlagsimulation in
hochalpinem Raum – Validierung und Limitationen, Geomechanics and
Tunnelling, 5, 368–378, 2012.
Schrott, L.: Some geomorphological-hydrological characteristics of rock
glaciers in the Andes, San Juan, Argentina, Z.
Geomorphol., 104, 161–173, 1996.
Sellmeier, B.: Quantitative Parameterization and 3D-run-out Modelling of
Rockfalls at Steep Limestone Cliffs in the Bavarian Alps, Springer
International Publishing, Switzerland, 2015.
Stark, C. P. and Hovius, N.: The characterization of landslide size
distributions, Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 1091–1094, 2001.
Stock, G. M., Bawden, G. W., Green, J. K., Hanson, E., Downing, G., Collins,
B. D., Bond, S., and Leslar, M.: High-resolution three-dimensional imaging
and analysis of rock falls in Yosemite Valley, California, Geosphere, 7,
573–581, 2011.
Strøm, K. M.: Geomorphology of the Rondane area, Norsk. Geol. Tidsskr., 25, 360–378, 1945.
Strunden, J., Ehlers, T. A., Brehm, D., and Nettesheim, M.: Spatial and
temporal variations in rockfall determined from TLS measurements in a
deglaciated valley, Switzerland, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 120, 1251–1273,
2015.
Supper, R., Ottowitz, D., Jochum, B., Römer, A., Pfeiler, S., Kauer, S.,
Keuschnig, M., and Ita, A.: Geoelectrical monitoring of frozen ground and
permafrost in alpine areas: field studies and considerations towards an
improved measuring technology, Near Surf. Geophys., 12, 93–115, 2014.
Terweh, S.: Geomorphologische Kartierung am Kitzsteinhorn (Hohe Tauern,
Österreich) – Eine raum-zeitliche Analyse geomorphologischer Prozesse
im Gletscherumfeld des Schmiedingerkees, Bachelor Thesis, University of
Bonn, Germany, 67 pp., 2012.
van Veen, M., Hutchinson, D. J., Kromer, R., Lato, M., and Edwards, T.:
Effects of sampling interval on the frequency - magnitude relationship of
rockfalls detected from terrestrial laser scanning using semi-automated
methods, Landslides, 14, 1579–1592, 2017.
Waldrop, H. A.: Arapaho Glacier: a sixty-year record, University of Colorado
Studies, Series in Geology 3, 37 pp., 1964.
Whalley, W. B.: The mechanics of high-magnitude low-frequency rock failure, Reading Geographical Papers, 27, 48 pp., 1974.
Whalley, W. B.: Rockfalls, in: Slope Instability, edited by: Brundsden, D. and Prior, D. B., Wiley, Chichester, 217–256, 1984.
Williams, J. G., Rosser, N. J., Hardy, R. J., Brain, M. J., and Afana, A. A.: Optimising 4-D surface change detection: an approach for capturing rockfall magnitude–frequency, Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 101–119, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-101-2018, 2018.
Short summary
Rockfall size and frequency in two deglaciating cirques in the Central Alps, Austria, is analysed based on 6-year rockwall monitoring with terrestrial lidar (2011–2017). The erosion rates derived from this dataset are very high due to a frequent occurrence of large rockfalls in freshly deglaciated areas. The results obtained are important for rockfall hazard assessments, as, in rockwalls affected by glacier retreat, historical rockfall patterns are not good predictors of future events.
Rockfall size and frequency in two deglaciating cirques in the Central Alps, Austria, is...
