Research

The research field of the 3G group can be summarized in the following four key topics:

Glaciers

A key focus of our group is on the monitoring and modelling of glaciers in the Alps and around the World. The methodological approach integrates in-situ measurements, remote sensing and numerical modelling at various spatial and temporal scales. The large variety of projects range from stake and snow pit measurements to laser scanning of individual glaciers, from compilation of glacier inventory data based on remote sensing and geoinformatics to the numerical modelling of past, present and potential future changes of the ice-cover in entire mountain ranges, and from the analysis of climate change impacts on glaciers to assessments of the impacts of glacier changes on regional hydrology, global sea level and the local hazard situation.

Permafrost

Within 3G we investigate permafrost and its interactions with environmental and human systems with a special focus on mountain regions and their response to climate change. This is important because a large proportion of the exposed global land area is influenced by permafrost or frozen ground conditions, which often are highly sensitive to environmental change and exhibit strongly non-linear behavior. In our research, we combine field and remote sensing measurements with modeling studies at and across diverse spatial and temporal scales to investigate permafrost phenomena as well as their dynamics and underlying processes. In the cooperation with PERMOS we monitor ground temperature, ground ice/water content and terrain movement and contribute to the continuous development of Swiss and international monitoring networks, strategies and methods for data interpretation. The 3G group provides products and services such as permafrost maps, detailed two- or three-dimensional thermal models as well as consulting and contributions to international synthesis reports.

Geochronology

The geochronology group explores landscape dynamics and processes (with a special focus on Alpine environments) using relative and numerical techniques. A broad spectrum of both these techniques is used to date landscape changes and geomorphic surface dynamics. Radiocarbon dating (14C) and surface exposure dating (10Be) are among the numerical dating techniques used. Relative dating techniques include the investigation of soils, rocks, sediments and their mineralogy and chemistry, the measurement of Schmidt-hammer rebound values and the thickness of weathering rinds in rocks.

Natural Hazards

Research concentrates on hazards in high-mountain areas, especially as related to cryosphere and impacts of climate change. It includes processes such as rock and ice avalanches, glacier lake outburst floods, debris flows, and volcano-ice interactions. The group develops and applies monitoring methods, both ground and remote sensing based. Modeling of failure, flow and runout of mass movements is an important aspect to improve assessment of hazards. Methods are furthermore developed for assessment of vulnerabilities and risks associated to hazards. Several projects focus on designing and implementing prevention and risk reduction strategies in real-world cases. The development and setup of an early warning system for floods and landslides in Colombia is an example. Improved integration of physical and social aspects of risks in a climate change adaptation perspective is a further research priority. Projects and scientific consulting are carried out in the Alps, North and South America, the Caucasus, and Himalayas.