In the Wasatch Mountains, rock glaciers are gaining scientific attention for their resilience against climate change compared to traditional glaciers. These unique ice formations, covered by debris, store significant water resources crucial for arid regions like Utah. Despite their abundance, rock glaciers remain understudied, holding potential key insights for urban water management and ecological resilience.
In the Wasatch Mountains, near Salt Lake City, Utah, a renowned hiking trail traverses through verdant aspen and spruce trees to reach the serene White Pine Lake. Scott Hotaling, a mountain ecologist at Utah State University, embarks on this familiar trek, yet he skips past the lake to ascend further, crossing over a moss-covered stream and navigating through a field of boulders. His destination is a towering wall of rock—an intriguing feature known as a rock glacier. Contrary to traditional images of glaciers characterized by their pristine, white slopes, rock glaciers represent large masses of ice enveloped by a layer of rocks. Historically perceived as rare geomorphological oddities, rock glaciers are garnering scholarly attention due to their surprising resilience in the face of climate change. Hotaling notes that their rocky coverings serve as insulation, safeguarding them from environmental fluctuations and accelerating climate effects. “These things actually seem to be holding steady amidst widespread ice decline,” he asserts, injecting a sense of optimism regarding their longevity. Rock glaciers hold significant water reserves, which could prove crucial for arid regions like Utah, particularly as traditional winter snowpack recedes. In the western United States, rock glaciers outnumber conventional glaciers by a sizable margin, with more than 10,000 documented sites. However, research on these unique formations remains limited compared to their more prominent ice counterparts. Historically, scientific examination of rock glaciers began in the early 1900s, primarily in Europe’s Alpine region, where such features are more accessible due to their proximity to populated areas. Research has demonstrated that while rock glaciers are not entirely impervious to climate influences—they can experience accelerated movement—their capacity to retain ice appears considerably better than that of surface glaciers. For instance, Hotaling’s investigations indicate that surface glaciers in the Teton Range lose ice at a rate approximately seven times greater than their rock glacier counterparts. He suggests that as other forms of ice vanish, rock glaciers might increasingly dominate the alpine landscape. Despite the prevalent presence of rock glaciers, many outdoor enthusiasts remain unaware of them. Hotaling observes that few individuals recognize these formations when they gaze upon them while hiking or skiing in the mountains. The rock fields surrounding White Pine Lake are prime examples: without specific knowledge, one could easily overlook the telltale steep facets of a rock glacier. Further complicating research efforts, extracting ice samples from rock glaciers involves navigating through a labyrinth of rocks. Hotaling and his compatriot, geologist Matthew Morriss, describe the difficulty of obtaining ice samples due to the mixture of rock and ice within these glaciers. Morriss recounts a serendipitous discovery of blue glacier ice, where erosion had managed to create an opening that allowed for sampling. The subsequent analyses of such ice provide valuable information on its age and deposition history, contributing to a broader comprehension of rock glacier dynamics. An equally important aspect of their research is understanding the water flow emerging from these glaciers. Recent studies have revealed that rock glaciers may contain substantial water resources, particularly notable during the summer months, when they can significantly influence the mountain stream hydrology in Utah. Hotaling is engaged in assessing the water properties from a stream fed by the White Pine Lake glacier, measuring its flow and temperature to better understand the ecological dependencies linked to this water source. In light of the pressing water needs for burgeoning urban centers, such as Salt Lake City, which derives considerable drinking water from mountainous sources, the role of rock glaciers in maintaining ecological balance and sustaining water supply has surfaced as a potential focal point for future research and conservation efforts. Morriss notes that a significant portion of one canyon is comprised of rock glaciers, yet they remain largely unacknowledged resources worth exploring.
The study of rock glaciers is increasingly relevant amid rising global temperatures and their consequent impacts on traditional glaciers and snowpack. While classic glaciers are undergoing rapid decline, rock glaciers embody a unique resilience owing to their protective rocky layers. Understanding their dynamics and the water they store is pivotal for managing freshwater resources in arid regions.
Research indicates that rock glaciers are vital components of the alpine ecosystem, offering both water storage capabilities and ecological refuge for various species. Their potential contributions in a warming climate present a crucial area of study, particularly for resource management in water-scarce regions such as Utah. As awareness of their significance increases, it is essential for scientific inquiry and public knowledge to expand concurrently.
Original Source: www.mainepublic.org
