Randomized trial assesses rock glacier motion in alpine environments, indicating resilience to climate change.
Key Points
This research aims to analyze and characterize rock glacier dynamics in the La Sal Mountains, Utah, focusing on their motion and environmental factors.
Utilized satellite-based radar interferometry and topographic data from 2016 to 2024.
Inventoried 41 active and transitional rock glaciers and 20 relict features at mean elevations of 3266 ± 192 m.
Analyzed displacement time series to assess seasonal velocity variations.
Mean downslope velocity of active glaciers is 6.8 ± 2.7 cm yr–1, with individual velocities between 2.7 and 12.8 cm yr–1.
Seasonal velocity peaks reach up to 87.6 cm yr–1 during late summer due to high liquid water availability.
Rock glaciers remain active despite existing above the 0°C mean annual air temperature isotherm, demonstrating resilience to climate changes.