A comparison of Taylor
and California Rock Glaciers
and their response to climate
change
By: Shiera Bova, Michael Ivis, Zach Shepard,
Shawn Lindbom, and Chris Murphy
Environmental Field Studies
ENV 4970-001
ABSTRACT
The following study was conducted in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range and Rocky
Mountain National Park in Colorado. It was to analyze the effects of global climate change on
two separate rock glaciers, Taylor Rock Glacier and California Rock Glacier. Rock glaciers are
tongue shaped or lobate masses of consolidated rock and ice, and are abundant in the Colorado
Rocky Mountains. Rock glaciers also typically have debris cover which acts as an insulator and
protects the internal ice from melting. This debris cover filters short-term climate anomalies
and is not as sensitive to yearly fluctuations in temperature or snow fall compared to
temperate glaciers. The goal was to record surface temperature data over two years on both
rock glaciers, and see if there is any correlation in rising temperatures in both study areas. If a
correlation in rising temperatures is present and climate change is happening on a larger scale,
then the effects on the two separate rock glaciers should be apparent and observed in both of
the study areas.
KEY WORDS: rock glacier, climate change, temperature, flow rates, velocity
INTRODUCTION
A rock glacier is defined as an accumulation of consolidated rock and ice with an internal
ice core that induces flow down slope. Rock glaciers can be found throughout high elevations
of mountain ranges all over the world; the ones native to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado are
examined in this study. They are generally tongue or lobate shaped and share similarities and
differences with alpine or temperate glaciers. Tongue shaped rock glaciers, such as the two
studied here, have more in common with temperate glaciers than do lobate shaped rock
glaciers including elevations and aspects. These similarities suggest that tongue shaped rock
glaciers are actually alpine glacially derived, while lobate rock glaciers have different shapes and
locations geographically (Janke, 2007). The rock and debris which make up the outer mass of
tongue shaped rock glaciers are thought to be the debris which melted out of retreating
temperate glaciers. This rock layer is what insulates the ice core which is the main mechanism
for movement for rock glaciers. The insulation layer is why rock glaciers react differently to
climate change than temperate glaciers. The comparison of these two rock glaciers is
important and critical to the understanding of how climate change has or has not affected
present day rock glaciers in multiple aspects, and if so, what are the implications and hazards
that follow these changes.
LITERATURE REVIEW
A number of articles were found in the process of researching this study. The
information sought out dealt with the general background of rock glaciers and their origins, the
topographical climates which they form and thrive in and anything that would lead to the belief
they are being affected by modern day climate change. Locations outside of the study area
were researched as well to try and find trends in data and glacier response to climate changes.
The following is a brief summary of the information found in support of this study.
The Colorado Front Range is the focus area of an article by Jason Janke which includes a
study on Taylor Rock Glacier and the photogrammetric analysis of rock glacier flow rates. The
study area of Taylor Rock Glacier is located in Rocky Mountain National State Park in northern
Colorado on the eastern side of the Continental Divide at 3,477 m. The article sets out to
achieve two goals, to provide a long-term record of flow, and to determine if changes in
velocities have occurred on the rock glacier. Several lobe shaped rock glaciers were studied
over a 40 year time period to determine annual flow rates and mean horizontal velocities.
These active rock glaciers have accumulations of cobble (3m) and boulder (700m3) debris made
mostly of metamorphic and intrusive rock types from the surrounding couloirs with an internal
ice core (Janke, 2005). Environmental conditions such as total precipitation, temperature
variations and debris accumulations were examined to decide the relevant effects on the
movement of the rock glaciers. It is hypothesized that the protective layer of rock is
moderating change to the internal ice structure of the rock glacier. To determine its movement
over time, transects were run across the surface of the rock glacier and boulders were marked
to track their position. Taylor Rock Glacier had an average calculated flow rate of 6.6 cm per
year; this could mean that environmental conditions have had a minimal impact on the flow
rate of the rock glacier and that they are well adjusted to current climate conditions (Janke,
2005). This study helps in understanding the current conditions of Taylor Rock Glacier and
contributes to the predictions of how climate change may affect Taylor Rock Glacier in the
future.
Another study conducted by Jason Janke examines the relation between climate change
and long-term flow rate measurements of three rock glaciers, specifically interested in Taylor
Rock Glacier, in the Front Range if the Rocky Mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park from
1961-2002. There are two main objectives in the case study which is to establish low cost
monitoring for the Front Range Rock Glaciers using a Geographic Information System (GIS) and
Remote Sensing to determine a spatial aspect of uncertainty and flow rates. The other
objective is to further understand long term horizontal flow rates and vertical change. The
Colorado Front Range was previously studied in 1978, 1990, and 1999 to determine flow rates
by measuring large surficial rocks on temporal orthophotos (Janke J. R., 2005). This long term
study, 21 years, indicated that there was 14-20 cm per year of horizontal flow. Depletion of the
internal ice structure or degradation of the permafrost would increase the rate of horizontal
flow.
Digital elevation models (DEMs) were made from digital stereocomparators by
subtracting elevation (Janke J. R., 2005). Anthropogenic climate change and recreational usage
is being examined to determine if they are contributing to the degradation of the rock glaciers.
An increase in air temperatures, net radiation patterns, and snow cover distribution will all have
an impact on mountain ecosystems. Rock glaciers’ internal ice core will decrease from lack of
snow accumulation and increasing temperatures, and are a good indicator for mountain
permafrost that further supports the internal ice core. Recent studies used Photogrammetry to
increase sampling density and monitor flow of the entire rock glacier (Janke J. R., 2005). Taylor
Rock Glacier has shown minimal horizontal flow from the short term study. This lack of flow
indicates that it is adjusted to current climatic conditions.
Sidney E. White conducted research on three out of nine tongued-shaped rock glaciers
in the Colorado Front Range in 1961; the study was conducted from 1961 to 1966. The three
that were selected from the research project were Arapaho, Taylor, and Fair Rock Glaciers. The
main purpose of this study was not to analyze the in-depth mechanisms of rock glacier
movement, but to measure the current volume and discharge of the three rock glaciers.
Colorado was glaciated in the Pleistocene by three separate ice advances (Pre-Bull Lake, Bull
Lake, and Pinedale). To better understand how rock glaciers move, the composition of the rock
glacier must be known. Taylor Rock Glacier has massive coarse-grained porphyritic granite and
pegmatite dikes. Taylor Rock Glacier is composed of rock rubble of fine sizes as well as angular
blocks. Debris from the north wall of the rock glacier almost never reaches the north side of
the rock glacier. Taylor is supplied from snow that blows across from the east. Using a porosity
of 0.4 and a surface area of 113,700 meters2 and an estimated thickness of 24 meters, Sidney
White estimates that Taylor has a volume of 1,091,500 meters3 which provides a measure of
the amount of debris moving out. Taylor moves just slightly faster than the other two rock
glaciers studied (Arapaho and Fair) at 6.6 centimeters per year, and has a discharge of 269
meters3 per year (Morris, 1981). Taylor showed two gross patterns of movement over the
course of the study period. The first gross pattern showed the front of the rock glacier moving
twice as fast compared to the rest of the rock glacier. The second gross pattern of movement
had a mean movement greater in the center and less on the sides; this is a characteristic of
slow flow. This article is important to get a better understanding of not only Taylor Rock
Glacier, but the entire Front Range of Colorado and what they are composed of and how far
they move each year.
Jason Janke and Regula Frauenfelder conducted a study in the Front Range of Colorado
to compare the contributing area parameters and rock glacier variables to get a better
understanding of rock glacier formation and evolution over time. Area parameters include the
width, length, area, slope, and headwall, and rock glacier variables include the width, length,
area, thickness, slope, creep, and temperature. The study area covered approximately 2, 700
km2 of a region surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park, and included the Taylor Rock
Glacier. In order to help preserve the ice core of the rock glaciers, rocks fall onto the ice core
itself from frost weathering which helps keep the ice core from melting completely. The results
showed that rock glacier widths had the strongest correlation with the contributing area width
due to an abundance of lobate rock glaciers (Fraunfelder, 2008). The study also found that the
Front Range rock glaciers’ velocities tended to decrease with warming temperatures; this is
opposite of what normally happens to rock glaciers. Rock glaciers studied throughout the world
tend to increase velocity with warm temperatures, but the Front Range rock glaciers decrease
in velocity with the warmer temperatures. This could suggest that the volume of ice and debris,
rates of shear in plastic layers, or melt water may have a greater influence on deformation
(Fraunfelder, 2008). Boreholes or geophysical methods need to be utilized in the Front Range
to provide a better account of the internal structure and its relation to variable creep
(Fraunfelder, 2008). This article is of importance to get a better understanding of Taylor Rock
Glacier along with the entire Front Range and how the rock glaciers are formed and the
relationships of contributing area factors.
A case study of California Rock Glacier located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range
in southwest Colorado was conducted by Jason Janke and Antonio Bellisario. It occupies a
portion of the Huerfano River Valley underneath California peak which sits at an elevation of
13,849 ft or 4,221 meters (California Peak, Colorado, 1987-2012). The California Rock Glacier
covers an area of 0.342 km2 and is believed to be the third largest of 44 rock glaciers in the
Massif area (Bellisario, 2010). The Rock Glacier flows in an easterly direction off the flanks of
California peak. A 0.8 km longitudinal flow meanders from the head of the rock glacier to its
front slope that is about 60 meters high and has about a 40 degree slope (Fraunfelder, 2008).
Based on the surface slope and height of the front slope, the rock glacier has an average
thickness of about 54 meters. If the debris content, excluding ice and void spaces, is assumed to
be 30-50% of the total volume then the volume of the rock glacier ranges from 5,540,400 to
9,234,000 m3 (Bellisario, 2010). The material that California Rock Glacier is comprised of is from
debris of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. Rocks found on the surface of the California
Rock Glacier are part of the Minturn Formation (middle Pennsylvanian) with gray arkosic
sandstone, conglomerates, siltstone, shale, and minor amounts of limestone. Tonalite Gneiss
(early Proterozoic) metamorphic rocks that are white to light gray green can also be found on
the surface (Bellisario, 2010). During the last Glacial maximum the largest glacier in the Massif
area occupied the Huerfano Valley and extended about 12 km north from Blanca peak and
covered an area of about 1.8 x 107 m2 (Bellisario, 2010). This has created the periglacial
environment seen today where California Rock Glacier resides. Glens flow law has been
modified to account for the weight of overlying rock, and provides a method to estimate the
thickness of ice contained within rock glaciers. It was calculated that the mean ice thickness of
the California Rock Glacier could range from 1-10 meters, assuming that 2-5 meters of surface
debris exists over the entire surface of the rock glacier (Bellisario, 2010).
If the climate warms and ice is melted the additional solutes contained in the water
source could affect water quality in nearby alpine lakes and streams. Front range rock glaciers
have rates of flow that typically average 10 to 20 cm per year from the late 1970’s to the late
1990’s which is much slower compared to an average of 57 cm per year for California Rock
Glacier from 1983 to 1998 (Bellisario, 2010). From 1983 to 1998 horizontal rates averaged 57
cm per year (+/-3cm per year) and vertical thinning averaged 30 cm per year (+/- 7cm per year)
near the head of the rock glacier. GPS measurements from 2003 to 2008 indicate an average
horizontal velocity of 52 cm per year (+/-5 cm per year) for seven points extending from the
midsection of the rock glacier to the toe. When comparing mean velocities, the rock glacier has
experienced an overall slight deceleration; however a detailed spatial evaluation of flow
indicates an increase in horizontal velocity from 2003 to 2008 in an isolated section of the toe
of the rock glacier (Bellisario, 2010). If this is true, this is due to the fact that warming
temperatures have been melting the inner ice core of the rock glacier causing it to have an
overall decrease in velocities down slope, decreasing thickness, and an increase in the width of
the rock glacier as less ice remains in the core. This study provides evidence for indicators of
climate change and helps when relating to climatic conditions seen in Taylor Rock Glacier.
Scott E. Morris conducted a study in the Blanca Massif area of the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains in order to understand the topoclimatic factors that affect the development,
preservation, and location of rock glaciers in relation to other glacial and periglacial lithofacies.
Topoclimatic factors examined in this study include altitude, position of the cirque wall with
respect to wind-drifting and avalanching of snow, radiation reduction by topographic shading,
and jointing of bedrock (Morris, 1981). All of these factors influence the depositional
environments and give clues as to where and under what conditions rock glaciers may be
found. California Rock Glacier was among those studied where data measurements were taken
to understand how topoclimatic factors have affected its formation. The data collected is very
useful when relating to the overall understanding of how climate change has affected areas
with different influencing topoclimatic factors. California Rock Glacier, among others in Morris’
study, have helped influence his conclusion that when prevailing climate is severe, the influence
of topoclimatic variables are subdued, and when relatively mild climates prevail, topoclimatic
factors have a much stronger influence on facies deposition. Morris also states that the speed
of climatic change is an important determinant governing the formation of rock glaciers even
though they are poorly understood (Morris, 1981).
In a comparison of lobate and tongue shaped rock glaciers to typical ice glaciers, a
number of similarities and differences were discovered in terms of aspect and location in a
study conducted by Jason Janke of the distribution and topographic characteristics of Front
Range rock glacier. Tongue shaped rock glaciers occur at higher elevations, have a more
northern aspect and have gentler slopes when compared to lobate rock (Janke, 2007). This
data was then compared to active glaciers and showed that tongue shaped rock glaciers have
more in common with active glaciers than lobate rock glaciers do; including elevations and
aspects. These similarities suggest tongue shaped rock glaciers are glacial in origin (Janke,
2007). This study also noted the annual climate in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains is a
breeding ground for rock glaciers due to its mean annual temperature of -3.5˚C and an annual
precipitation of 938 mm at 3,739 meters above sea level (Janke, 2007). Taylor Rock Glacier and
California Rock Glacier are both tongue shaped rock glaciers. This article gives background on
the origin of both as well as the response of each to the environment where they are located.
Knowing the origin of each rock glacier will give incite on how it responds to the conditions in
which they exist. Alpine glaciers are generally receding due to climatic changes in the
environment. If this is where these two rock glaciers were derived from and common
characteristics are still shared, then climate change can affect the state of them as well.
Another study by Kurt A. Refsnider and Keith A. Brugger was conducted across the Front
Range, and used 48 lobes on 18 different rock glaciers. The authors set out to measure lichen
Rhizocarpon growing on boulders to find periods of rock glacial activity (Brugger, 2007). The
data collected in this study was statistically grouped and three periods were discovered where
cooler climatic conditions drove rock glacial activity. The cooler periods would have increased
the amount of internal ice forming and increased debris accumulation through frost cracking
and mechanical weathering. When the right ratio of debris thickness and downslope angle is
met, “mobilization of the ice-rock mixture” is possible (Brugger, 2007). This data projected to
present time can give insight to the reaction of Taylor Rock Glacier and California Rock Glacier
to the present day climate. Colder past environmental conditions had effects on rock glaciers
which caused them to become active and grow in size; this being the case, the warming
temperatures of today’s climate should be having the opposite effect of the rock glaciers
studied.
OBJECTIVES
The objective for this study was to decide whether or not climate change is occurring
over a large area of Colorado and if there are any noticeable effects on Taylor and California
Rock Glaciers. If the climate is changing there should be visible effects on the two rock glaciers.
Understanding the climate and the environment plays a huge role in being able to identify an
overall change in the ecosystem. To get a better understanding of Taylor and California Rock
Glaciers surface temperature data was collected from the two rock glaciers across a two year
period to see if there has been an evident change in temperature. If there is a noticeable
change in the temperature this could indicate that climate change is occurring on a larger scale
in Colorado. If there is a correlation in rising or cooling temperatures in the climate of both
study areas this could be affecting the thickness and the extent of the rock glaciers. If the
temperature is increasing this could be changing the internal ice core of the rock glaciers.
Specifically, the objective of the study is to get a better understanding of whether or not the
temperature is changing on California and Taylor Rock Glaciers, and if this is effecting the flow
downslope.
STUDY AREA
California Rock Glacier is located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range in southwest
Colorado. It occupies a portion of the Huerfano River Valley underneath California Peak which
sits at an elevation of 13,849ft or 4 221 meters (California Peak, Colorado, 1987-2012). The
California Rock Glacier has an easterly aspect and flows downslope towards the east. California
Rock Glacier covers an area of 0.342km2 and is believed to be the largest of 44 rock glaciers in
the Massif area (Fraunfelder, 2008).
Taylor Rock Glacier is located in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) in the Front
Range of Colorado. It has a north easterly aspect with a mean elevation of 3,477 meters or
roughly 11,404 feet. The head of the rock glacier sits at roughly 3,529 meters or 11,580 feet and
the toe of the rock glacier sits at 3,431 meters in elevation or 11,257 feet. The rock glacier
occupies a narrow cirque on the eastern side of the Continental Divide (Janke, (2005). Taylor
Rock Glacier is located underneath a small stagnant glacier still left from the last glaciation in
the Pleistocene.
Both rock glaciers are approximately located on the same longitude around 105°W. Both
of these rock glaciers are located on different latitudes where the toe of California Rock Glacier
is at (37° 36’ 59.20’’ N), and the toe of Taylor Rock Glacier sits at a latitude of (40° 16’ 30.36’’ N).
The latitudes are separated by 360km apart. The study areas may be seen in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1. Study area Map
METHODS
Temperature Measurements
The equipment used in data
collection on the rock glaciers are
called HOBO U23 Pro v2 2x External
Temperature Data Logger - U23-003,
and are produced by Onset Computer Corporation. The HOBO Pro v2 2x External Temperature
Data Logger is a weatherproof data logger with two external soil/water temperature probes on
6-foot cables for fast sensor response and deployment in tight spaces. The range of
temperature the external sensors can read range from -40 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees
Celsius. This product is quite accurate with an accuracy of temperature within +- 0.21 degrees
Celsius from 0 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius.
California Rock Glacier has two data recorders which were used in this study. Point one
is located at the head of the rock glacier (37º 36’ 59.74”N/105º 29’ 13.59” W) around 3,666m
elevation, and measures temperature measurements every hour. The second point is on the
same recording interval but is located at the toe of the glacier (37º 36’ 59.20” N/105º 28’
51.33” W) and is around an elevation of 3,555m. Taylor Rock Glacier has only one data
recording point located at the toe (40º 16’ 30.36” N/105º 40’ 16.07” W) and roughly 3,431m in
elevation; however this data logger only took data recordings every two hours. In both cases
only surface temperatures were used and the temperature logger was buried at a depth of
10cm. Temperature recording across two years, 28JULY2010-29SEPT2012, were used in order
to create a uniform data set between all three recorded locations. To further analyze this data
the two years were split into seasons; only winter and summer were used to represent the
extreme highs and extreme lows of recorded temperatures. The winter season represents the
months of December, January, and February; summer represents the months of June, July, and
August. A total of three summers and two winters are represented in the results and graphs.
By only looking at the extreme high and low temperatures a clear distinction in annual climate
change will be apparent if present.
The Data collected by the two Hobo U23 Pro External Temperature recorders at the toes
of each glacier will be compared side by side to try and derive information on climate change in
each environment. This data will be analyzed to see if climate change is present in both
locations and if it is affecting these two separate rock glaciers.
G.I.S. Applications
The world Imagery from Arc GIS online was downloaded to draw the current extent of
both rock glaciers and the possible previous extent of California Rock Glacier. This was
accomplished by examining the lack of vegetation cover within the images. The present extent
of the rock glaciers shows lack of plant growth due to movement and instability. This allowed
for vegetation cover to be analyzed allowing the ability to see ancient lobes of the California
Rock Glacier’s previous extent. Vegetation growth along the toe shows lack of movement and
the ability for plants to grow.
RESULTS
The temperature data which was compared between Taylor Rock Glacier and California
Rock Glacier suggest an overall rise in annual temperatures across the two year period. The
data shown in the tables and graphs represent a comparison of the glaciers toe temperature
data, as well as a comparison of the head and toe of just California Rock Glacier. All of the data
comparisons suggest an increase in temperature.
California Rock Glacier Temperature Results
The data for the head of California rock glacier suggests that there has been a small
increase in temperatures on average from the summer of 2010 at 11.92 degrees Celsius to the
summer of 2012 at 12.97 degrees Celsius. These temperatures may not be affected as much
due to the fact that the head of the California rock glacier sits at an elevation around 3,666
meters. The fact that it is a high alpine environment suggests that temperatures do not
fluctuate as much as lower elevations might. The data from the toe of California Rock Glacier
reveals an increase in average temperatures from the summer of 2010 at 10.46 degrees Celsius
to the summer of 2012 at 14.32 degrees Celsius. This data suggests that climate change in this
area is prominent. Winter seasons are not affected by climate change as much as the summer
months based on the data shown in figures 2 and 3 and tables 1 and 2.
Figure 2. California Rock Glacier Surface Temperatures at the Head
California Rock Glacier Head Surface
Temperatures
40
Temperature [°C]
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
Date [Months]
Table 1. California Rock Glacier Bi-Seasonal Head Surface Temperatures
SEASONS
Summer 2010
Winter 2010/2011
Summer 2011
Winter 2011/2012
Summer 2012
HIGH [°C]
30.68
0.09
23.8
-0.49
26.73
LOW [°C]
2.46
-15.85
-0.97
-16.31
5.01
AVERAGE [°C]
11.92
-7.47
12.45
-7.51
12.97
*Summer season includes June, July, August, and winter season includes December, January, February.
**Summer 2010 only included the month of June
6/30/2012
5/31/2012
4/30/2012
3/31/2012
2/29/2012
1/31/2012
12/31/2011
11/30/2011
10/31/2011
9/30/2011
8/31/2011
7/31/2011
6/30/2011
5/31/2011
4/30/2011
3/31/2011
2/28/2011
1/28/2011
12/28/2010
11/28/2010
10/28/2010
9/28/2010
8/28/2010
7/28/2010
-30
Figure 3. California Rock Glacier Surface Temperatures at the Toe
California Rock Glacier Toe Surface
Temperatures
40
Temperature [°C]
30
20
10
0
-10
-20
6/30/12
5/31/12
4/30/12
3/31/12
2/29/12
1/31/12
12/31/11
11/30/11
10/31/11
9/30/11
8/31/11
7/31/11
6/30/11
5/31/11
4/30/11
3/31/11
2/28/11
1/28/11
12/28/10
11/28/10
10/28/10
9/28/10
8/28/10
7/28/10
-30
Date [Month]
Table 2. California Rock Glacier Bi-seasonal Toe Surface Temperatures
Season
Summer 2010
Winter 2010/2011
Summer 2011
Winter 2011/2012
Summer 2012
High [°C]
24.42
3.47
31.16
3.29
32.21
Low [°C]
-0.16
-22.50
0.37
-16.94
0.31
Average [°C]
10.46
-6.31
14.29
-6.23
14.32
*Summer season includes June, July, August, and winter season includes December, January, February.
**Summer 2010 only included July and August temperatures.
Taylor rock glacier temperature results
The data collected from Taylor Rock Glacier reveals that the average temperature from
the summer of 2010 at 8.62 degrees Celsius to the summer of 2012 at 13.90 degrees Celsius is
increasing a significant amount every year. These temperature fluctuations may be seen in
Figure 4 and Table 3. The data suggests that climate change is prominent in this area of
Colorado.
Figure 4. Taylor Rock Glacier Surface Temperatures at the Toe
Taylor Rock Glacier Toe Surface Temperatures
40
30
Temperature [°C]
20
10
0
-10
-20
Date [Months]
Table 3. Taylor Rock Glacier Bi-Seasonal Toe Surface Temperatures
Season
Summer 2010
Winter 2010/2011
Summer 2011
Winter 2011/2012
Summer 2012
High [°C]
22.00
-3.06
27.01
-0.70
28.05
Low [°C]
4.32
-26.46
-0.59
-20.88
-0.42
Average [°C]
8.62
-10.43
12.15
-10.58
13.90
*Summer season includes June, July, August, and winter season includes December, January, February.
**Summer 2010 only included July and August temperatures.
6/30/2012
5/31/2012
4/30/2012
3/31/2012
2/29/2012
1/31/2012
12/31/2011
11/30/2011
10/31/2011
9/30/2011
8/31/2011
7/31/2011
6/30/2011
5/31/2011
4/30/2011
3/31/2011
2/28/2011
1/28/2011
12/28/2010
11/28/2010
10/28/2010
9/28/2010
8/28/2010
7/28/2010
-30
California Rock Glacier temperature data compared with Taylor Rock Glacier temperature data
Comparing California Rock Glacier temperatures with Taylor Rock Glacier temperatures
reveals that every year the overall temperature is increasing on average. Taylor Rock Glacier is
located in northern Colorado where temperatures are usually colder, and California rock glacier
is located in southwest Colorado where temperatures are usually warmer. This suggests that
climate change is not happening on a regional scale, but rather at larger scales. Both study
areas are at different latitudes at about 360 km apart, and in different climatic regions of
Colorado. Both show increasing temperatures which ultimately affects the rock glaciers internal
structure, flow, ice content, and weathering processes.
DISCUSSION
The results from this study clearly showed that the ice core of these rock glaciers were
melting due to the climatic changes these areas are facing today. This was shown through
increased temperatures, the physical changes to the rock glaciers dimensions, and lack of
movement. With a melting ice core comes added water to the drainage basins downstream,
and with that any particulates and solutes within that water. Because of this, things such as
rock type and weathering processes for the area must be looked at. Specific rock types will
leach certain solutes into water which flows through it; limestone for example will percolate
high levels of bicarbonate into water which passes through it, or certain feldspars will weather
away leaving elements such as potassium or calcium to be picked up by flowing water.
Anything washed down stream will end up in the ecosystem in some way, whether it be
absorbed by the soil effecting its pH and nutrient content, or it could wash down into the water
supply of a city or county and affect the supply pipes through build up or corrosion or change
the drinking waters chemical solution to a point where actions would need to be taken costing
money and time.
Although a smaller contributor of particulates to water, rock glaciers still provide a
certain amount of the solute within the runoff if the ice core is in a melting stage. Water
quality is a huge issue and all sources affecting that quality must be assessed regardless of its
contribution.
CONCLUSIONS
Global Climate Change is beginning to become a very familiar phenomenon to people of
this age. Many studies have been performed and completed to analyze the effects of climate
change on the environment. The study of the effects of climate change on rock glaciers was
among those studied here. Rock glaciers are very misunderstood geomorphic features of high
alpine environments. Little studies have been performed on rock glaciers and they remain a
very unique and interesting geomorphic structure to Geologists, Geomorphologist,
Environmental Scientists, and many more. Rock Glaciers typically have debris cover, 1 to 3
meters thick in some instances, which acts as an insulator and protects the internal ice. This
debris cover filters short term anomalies and is not as sensitive to yearly fluctuations on
temperature or snow fall compared to temperate glaciers (Bellisario, 2010).
Comparing California Rock Glacier temperatures with Taylor Rock Glacier temperatures
reveals that every year the overall temperature is increasing on average. Taylor Rock Glacier is
located in northern Colorado where temperatures are usually colder, and California Rock
Glacier is located in southwest Colorado where temperatures are usually warmer. This suggests
that climate change is not happening on a regional scale, but rather at larger scales. Both study
areas are at different latitudes at about 360 km apart, and in different climatic regions of
Colorado. Both show increasing temperatures which ultimately affects the rock glaciers internal
structure, flow, ice content, and weathering processes. Along with the rising temperatures it is
obvious to see that the rock glaciers of Colorado are now beginning to be affected. From 1983
to 1998 horizontal flow averaged 57 cm per year (+/-3 cm per year) and the vertical thinning
averaged 30 cm per year (+/-7cm per year) near the head of California Rock Glacier. GPS
measurements from 2003 to 2008 indicate an average horizontal velocity of 52 cm per year (+/5 cm per year) for seven points extending from the midsection of the rock glacier to the toe.
When comparing mean velocities, California Rock Glacier has experienced an overall slight
deceleration; however a detailed spatial evaluation of flow indicates an increase in horizontal
velocity from 2003 to 2008 in an isolated section of the toe of the rock glacier (Fraunfelder,
2008). Since it is believed that rock glaciers flow down slope due to the internal core of ice it
would be believed that if the internal core of ice was indeed melting then the flow of the rock
glacier down slope would begin to decrease and the horizontal width of the rock glacier would
begin to increase due to the internal ice core melting.
Overall, with the rising temperatures and evidence of decelerating velocities down
slope, decreasing thickness, and increasing width of the rock glacier, this could suggest that
with a warming climate also comes with a melting internal ice structure of the rock glaciers. If
climate change is indeed melting the internal ice core of these rock glaciers, the additional
solutes contained in this water source could in fact affect the water quality of nearby alpine
lakes and streams as well. This is why more scientific studies of rock glaciers should be
completed and analyzed. Out of all the data collected by the hobo temperature loggers and
other studies, it is evident that climate change is indeed affecting the rock glaciers of Colorado
and possibly the water quality and nearby environments and ecosystems.
Works Cited
California Peak, Colorado. (1987-2012). Retrieved September 3, 2012, from Peakbagger:
http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=5916
Bellisario, J. R. (2010). Geospatial techniques to assess high mountain hazards: A case study on
California Rock Glacier and an Application for Management in the Andes.
Geotechnologies and the Environment , 65-84.
Brugger, K. A. (2007). Rock Glaciers in Central Colorado, U.S.A., as Indicators of Holocene
Climate Change. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 127-136.
Fraunfelder, J. J. (2008). The relationship between rock glacier and contributing area
parameters in the Front Range of Colorado. Quaternary Science, 153-163.
Janke, J. R. (2005). Long-term flow measurements (1961-2002) of the Arapaho, Taylor, and Fair
rock glaciers, Front Range, Colorado. Physical Geogrpahy, 313-336.
Janke, J. R. (2005). Photogrammetric Analysis of Front Range rock glacier flow rates.
Geografiska Annaler. Series A, Physical Geography, 515-526.
Janke, J. R. (2007). Colorado Front Range rock glaciers: Distribution and topographic
characteristics. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, 74-83.
Morris, S. E. (1981). Topoclimatic Factors and the Development of Rock Glacier Facies, Sangre
de Cristo Mountains, Southern Colorado. Arctic and Alpine Research, Vol. 13, No. 3 ,
329-338.
White, S. E. (1971). Rock Glacier Studies in the Colorado Front Range, 1961 to 1968. Arctic and
Alpine Research, 43-64.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to Dr. Jason Janke for providing temperature data from each rock glacier.
Shiera Bova: Key Words, Literature Review, Study Area Map, Methods, Results, Tables and
Figures, References
Michael Ivis: Abstract, Literature Review, Objectives, Study Area, Methods, Results, Tables and
Figures, Conclusion
Zach Shepard: Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Tables and Figures, Discussion
Shawn Lindbom: Literature Review, Objectives, Methods
Chris Murphy: Literature Review