Rockglacier Genesis and the Relation to Similar-Looking Landforms

Abstract

In the discussion of rockglacier genesis, three terms, Chaos - Continuum - Order are of greatest importance. In the literature, a large number of contradicting hypotheses have been proposed: this is chaos. A number of proposals have been made to clarify this situation. The logical first hypothesis would include rockglaciers in a group of broadly similar-looking landforms (ranging from glacial and landslide deposits to real rockglaciers under other names) as a continuum (Johnson 1974, 1983; Corte 1987a; Giardino and Vitek 1988). This approach is not really helpful. It is correct (Giardino and Vitek) that relief forms a continuum which can be considered at different scales and with different geometric or geomorphic intentions, but it seems unwise to use the continuum aspect to mask clear differences. The only way to create order as a basis for a better understanding is a process-oriented definition, “because form is a response to a process operating over time” as Giardino and Vitek (1988) state. Based on the definition in Chapter 1, the genesis and the phenotypes of active (Sect. 8.1.1), inactive (Sect. 8.1.2) and relict (Sect. 8.1.3) rockglaciers will be discussed first. In comparison to this, all physiognomic similar forms will be discussed in this chapter (Sect. 8.2)