Hugenholtz, Chris H, Moorman, Brian J, Barlow, John and Wainstein, Pablo A (2008) Large-scale moraine deformation at the Athabasca Glacier, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. Landslides, 5 (3). pp. 251-260. ISSN 1612-510X

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Abstract

In this paper the development of a large-scale gravitational deformation involving the eastern lateral moraine of the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, is described. Interpretation and analysis of sequential aerial photographs indicates that a 540-m-wide segment of the eastern lateral moraine began to deform in the early 1950s; however, significant movement only began in the late 1960s. Since then, the moraine has undergone progressive gravitational deformation leading to a network of fractures, bulging, and the development of a large gap in the moraine crest. Geographic information system analysis of topographic changes between 1967 and 2006 indicates that the displaced volume of the moraine is approximately 9.0×10 5 m 3 . In the last 39 years, the moraine crest has displaced 55 m (1.4 m yr -1 ) down towards the glacier. The development of slope instability is linked to a combination of debuttressing from recent glacier recession, deformation of the moraine, as well as the movement of a large, mobile, debris-mantled slope impinging the upslope margin of the lateral moraine. This case study illustrates the importance of glacial conditioning and local geomorphological factors in creating conditions for large-scale moraine instability in recently deglacierized alpine basins.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Moraine deformation . Glacier recession . Aerial photograph . Digital elevation model
Schools and Departments:	School of Global Studies > Geography
Depositing User:	John Barlow
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2012 15:19
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2012 13:52
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/11679

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