Geophysical Characterization of the Furggwanghorn Rock Glacier, Switzerland

Degradation of alpine permafrost due to changing mean annual air temperatures can act as trigger for landslides and other ground instabilities. For a better understanding of the underlying thermo-hydromechanical processes an interdisciplinary research project has been set up. An extensive geophysical and monitoring campaign was carried out on rock glacier in the Turtmann valley, Canton Valais, Switzerland over the last two years to investigate its internal structure. We employed seismic refraction tomography, electrical resistivity tomography and ground-penetrating radar. Additionally seven boreholes were drilled to a depth of 25m and equipped with temperature sensors and inclinometers. Results from the seismic tomography show a lateral very heterogeneous zone below an active layer of 3-4m thickness. The bedrock depth could not be detected over large parts of the profiles. On the electrical tomograms we can clearly distinguish between ice-free zones at the front and the flanks of the rock glacier and an ice-rich zone in the central part. Several internal shear horizons could be identified on the radar profiles. Most of them could be tracked over several profiles. Deformation measurements in a nearby borehole show that the horizon at about 15m depth is currently active.