Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)

Data Sets

Services / Tools

Ancillary Descriptions

Are you using a browser that doesn't support JavaScript or have you disabled JavaScript?

If you have disabled JavaScript, you must re-enable JavaScript to use this page.
Or you can view this record using the Text Only Format.

Rock glaciers, Entremont, Valais, Switzerland

Entry ID: ggd290

[ Update this Record ]

Summary

Abstract: The Entremont area is 300 square km wide and located in the western part of the Swiss Alps between the Mont-Blanc Massif and the Valaisian Alps, slightly north of the main crest of the alpine range. Altitude varies between 4313 m above see level (asl) at the top of the Grand-Combin and 714 m asl for the outlet of the valleys system. The geological composition is essentially dominated by ... metamorphic rocks (gneiss, shale, quartzite), however some sedimentary layers (limestone, dolomite) are inserted. The mean annual air temperature is about 0 C at 2300 m asl and annual precipitation among ranges between 1000 and 1500 mm at 2000 m asl with a maximum value of about 2000 mm on the alpine crest (Grand-St-Bernard pass). Equilibrium line of glaciers is over 3000 m asl in the north-facing slopes, the timberline is at about 2100 m asl and permafrost creeping features exist between 2000 and 3000 m asl, what results in a great variety of mountain and morphological landscapes. Aerial photographs analyses and field morphological observations have been performed during summer 1995 in order to inventory and map (1 to 25000) 321 well-developed to embryonic rock glaciers and protalus lobes (coexisting features have been separated) of total area 10.4 square. km. Rock glacier activity classification results from interpretation of both geomorphological and environmental signs. Some geophysics (BTS measurements and DC resistivity soundings) have been performed between 1995 and 1997 on a few rock glaciers in order to confirm the initial interpretation. Data described in this file on the CAPS Version 1.0 CD-ROM, June 1998, are-- 1. Location (X, Y)-- Swiss coordinates near the center of the feature. 2. Front elevation (Z)-- Elevation (m a.s.l.) at the foot of the front (accuracy: 10 m). 3. Length-- Maximal distance (m) between front and roots (accuracy: 10 - 20%). 4. Width-- Mean width (m) of the feature (accuracy: 10%). 5. Orientation-- Global exposition of the rock glacier. 6. Activity-- Interpretation by field indicators observation, only in a few cases by geophysics. 7. Surface (ha)-- Calculated by 1 to 25,000 numerical mapping (accuracy: 5 - 10%). 8. Origin-- Talus or moraine (debris) derived rock glacier ? Other information such as lithology, spring temperature, vegetation cover, inclination, roots elevation are partly available, but not described in the present data set.

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: 46.08

S: 45.85

E: 7.32

W: 7.08

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1995-01-01

Stop Date: 1997-12-31

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > EUROPE > WESTERN EUROPE > SWITZERLAND > ENTREMONT, CENTRAL AND WESTERN ALPS, VALAIS, SWITZERLAND

Science Keywords

CRYOSPHERE > SNOW/ICE > SNOW/ICE TEMPERATURE

CRYOSPHERE > FROZEN GROUND > PERMAFROST

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

INLAND WATERS

Ancillary Keywords

BTS Measurements

Field Investigations

Data Center

National Snow and Ice Data Center

Data Center URL: http://nsidc.org

Data Center Personnel
Name: NSIDC USER SERVICES Phone: +1 (303) 492-6199 Fax: +1 (303) 492-2468 Email: nsidc at nsidc.org Contact Address: National Snow and Ice Data Center CIRES, 449 UCB University of Colorado City: Boulder Province or State: CO Postal Code: 80309-0449 Country: USA

World Data Center for Glaciology, Boulder

Data Center URL: http://nsidc.org/wdc/

Data Center Personnel
Name: NSIDC USER SERVICES Phone: +1 (303) 492-6199 Fax: +1 (303) 492-2468 Email: nsidc at nsidc.org Contact Address: National Snow and Ice Data Center CIRES, 449 UCB University of Colorado City: Boulder Province or State: CO Postal Code: 80309-0449 Country: USA

Frozen Ground Data Center

Data Center URL: http://nsidc.org/fgdc/

Data Center Personnel
Name: NSIDC FGDC USER SERVICES Phone: +1 (303) 492-6199 Fax: +1 (303) 492-2468 Email: nsidc at nsidc.org Contact Address: National Snow and Ice Data Center CIRES, 449 UCB University of Colorado City: Boulder Province or State: CO Postal Code: 80309-0449 Country: USA