Fig. 3: Study region summary. | Communications Earth & Environment

Fig. 3: Study region summary.

From: Rock glaciers throughout the French Alps accelerated and destabilised since 1990 as air temperatures increased

Fig. 3: Study region summary.

French Alps: permafrost status and localization of active rock glaciers rated by geomorphological evidence of destabilisation34. Most of destabilized landforms occur in the Haute-Maurienne (a), Maurienne (b) and Queyras (c) areas. Destabilisation rates vary from 0 (no geomorphological evidence of destabilisation) to 3 (evidence of developing surface disturbances and consequent dynamic discontinuity in the landform). In Rate 3a, the surface disturbances are characteristic of more severe destabilisation, i.e., crevasses and scarps, while in Rate 3b only shallow cracks are observed. Rates are 1 and 2 are intermediary, corresponding respectively to non-destabilised and developing surface disturbances. Rock glaciers with a destabilisation rate of 3 and found by this study to have displacement rates above 3 my−1 are classified as destabilised and investigated in detail. The rock glaciers investigated in this study are designated by an acronym; CL: Col du Lou, PB: Pierre Brune, RN: Roc Noir, PM: Pierre Minieu, PP: Pointe Paumont, TL: Tête de Longet, GB: Grand Bérard, PC: Pointe du Clot, OF: Ouille du Favre, PA:Pointe des Arses, AS: Aiguille Scolette, PR1: Petite Rochebrune 1, PR2: Petite Rochebrune 2, PR3: Petite Rochebrune 3, RD: Rocher des Dents, CA: Pic Caramantran, CC1: Crête du Coq 1, CC2: Crête du Coq 2, La: Laurichard, Pb: Pierre Blanche, Rib: Ribbon. © IGN.

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