Rock Glaciers Inventory of the Entremont Area, Switzerland

Rock glaciers, Entremont, Valais, Switzerland, Version 1 is an inventory of 321 rock glaciers and protalus lobes mapped in a 300 square km area of the Swiss Alps. The dataset, created from 1995 aerial photo analysis and field observations, contains location, elevation, dimensions, orientation, and activity classification for each feature. It was originally published on the CAPS Version 1.0 CD-ROM in June 1998.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the distribution and density of rock glaciers based on location coordinates.
• Classifying rock glacier activity states using interpreted geomorphological and environmental signs.
• Correlating rock glacier dimensions (length and width) with elevation and orientation.
• Validating geophysical interpretations (e.g., BTS measurements) with mapped morphological observations.

Strengths

• Contains a specific inventory of 321 distinct rock glacier and protalus lobe features.
• Based on combined aerial photograph analysis and field morphological observations from summer 1995.
• Includes accuracy estimates for key measurements like front elevation (10 m) and length (10-20%).

Limitations

• Column names are not explicitly listed in the provided metadata, limiting precise schema understanding.
• Conflicting last-updated dates exist between platforms (1997 vs. 2026), creating uncertainty about version freshness.
• The dataset's age (primary data from 1995-1997) may limit its utility for analyzing recent cryospheric changes.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Aerial photograph analyses and field morphological observations performed during summer 1995, supplemented by geophysical measurements (BTS, DC resistivity) between 1995 and 1997.

Time Range

1995-1997

Freshness

Last updated dates conflict: one source lists 1997-12-31, another lists 2026-04-09.

Geography

Entremont area (300 sq km) in the western Swiss Alps, Valais, Switzerland.