Rock Glacier Inventory and Characteristics in the Fletschhorn Area

Seventy-four rock glaciers in the Fletschhorn Area of the southern Swiss Alps were investigated during summer 1995. The dataset includes measurements of location, elevation, dimensions, aspect, activity status, source water temperature, and vegetation cover for each feature. Analysis of these parameters classified 32 as active, 21 as inactive, and 27 as fossil.

Use Cases

• Classifying rock glacier activity (active, inactive, fossil) based on field measurements and photogrammetry.
• Analyzing relationships between rock glacier dimensions, aspect, and their activity state.
• Studying vegetation colonization patterns on rock glaciers of differing activity levels.
• Correlating source water temperatures with rock glacier ice content and activity.
• Mapping the distribution and characteristics of rock glaciers for regional geomorphological inventories.

Strengths

• Contains a complete census of 74 rock glaciers in a defined alpine study area.
• Activity classification is supported by multiple measured parameters (e.g., source temperature, vegetation).
• Data collection involved thorough methods including infrared air photo analysis and field measurements.

Limitations

• Dataset is historical, with primary fieldwork conducted in a single summer (1995).
• Core dataset lacks additional measured parameters like rock glacier type, lithology, and detailed species composition.
• Conflicting metadata: one platform lists a 2026 update date, while another indicates a 1995/1998 publication, suggesting possible stale or inconsistent metadata.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Field investigation and analysis of infrared air photographs during summer 1995.

Time Range

1995

Freshness

2026-04-09 (from one platform, but conflicts with 1995/1998 dates from descriptions)

Geography

Fletschhorn Area, Valais, southern Swiss Alps