A widespread acceleration of rock glaciers is being recorded in the Alps, increasing the likelihood of mass movements such as debris flows from their fronts in steep terrain. The acceleration can be traced back to climate change and the associated warming of the permafrost, which is accompanied by an increase in the water content in the ice-rich permafrost.

The piezometer data from KELLER sensors provide valuable information on local subsurface characteristics of rock glaciers and, with that, contribute to our understanding of the factors that determine the acceleration of the kinematics of rock glaciers and the future water availability in these landforms.

Read the full article below.