Changement climatique - Recherche française (avec laboratoires CNRS) - 2010-2015

Recent observations and geodetic measurements in the European Alps show that changes are occurring on rock glacier dynamics, ranging from moderate velocity variations to strong acceleration or even total collapse. These changes can be related to the ground temperature and to climate warming. In most cases, rock glaciers do not represent any serious hazard, except the instability of their surface and local rockfalls at the steep front. The surface movements, though moderate, can nevertheless cause damages to sensible infrastructures like cableways or buildings, if these are not designed to adapt to surface movements. The strong accelerations observed on some rock glaciers, however, induce a change of magnitude, and may threaten in some cases downslope areas. Thus, the presence of active or inactive rock glaciers with high ice content must be considered not only with regard to present conditions and dynamics, but with respect to possible evolutions due to climate change.