Where does a glacier end? Integrated geophysical, geomorphological and photogrammetric measurements to image geometry and ice facies distribution

Abstract

In this study we integrated different techniques, spanning from Ground Penetrating Radar to geomorphological and photogrammetric data, to characterize the glacial and proglacial environments of the Sforzellina Glacier (Central Alps, Italy). Direct data highlighted the presence of debris-covered ice and even of dead ice patches in front of the actual glacier terminus. Such an information was further proved by geophysical data. We try to correlate the dead ice patches occurrence with several parameters such as debris cover thickness, ground temperature, solar radiation, elevation, velocity of glacier retreat, and dip of the topographic surface without finding relevant correlations, except for the local bedrock morphology. In fact, the latter factor seems to be crucial to make the favourable conditions to dead ice patches formation and preservation with time.Since ice is not always outcropping, while dead ice patches never outcrop because they are hidden by continuous debris cover, classical glaciological monitoring techniques are not always successfully applicable.On the basis of the obtained results, we argue that estimates of glacier extension just related to surficial information, like in the case of exclusive use of remote sensing data and outcropping ice monitoring, can produce relevant underestimations. The presence of hidden ice patches, even not strictly part of the glacier body, is further important to quantify the total water equivalent, as well as to make affordable forecasts of the future glaciers evolution.