Geomorphology and Permafrost

We investigate landform changes in cold climate environments (periglacial and paraglacial processes) and contribute to the spectre of fundamental physical geography in both research and teaching. The focus is on landforms and processes related to the existence of underground ice (e.g. rockglaciers), as well as on adaptation processes to the disappearance of ice (e.g. in glacier forefields). Methods such as geomorphic mapping, terrestrial geodetic surveys, and photogrammetric analyses are applied in order to assess, quantify and monitor ongoing processes and their spatio-temporal changes.
Related projects:

• RoDynAlps (Rock glacier dynamics in the Swiss Alps): 2023 – 2027 (SNF)
• RockDynDisko (Rockglacier Dynamics on Disko Island, Greenland): 2020 – 2022 (SPI)
• TEMPS (The Evolution of Mountain Permafrost in Switzerland): 2011 – 2015 (SNF)
• SPCC (Sensitivity of Mountain Permafrost to Climate Change): 2008 – 2012 (DFG)

Group leader:

Dr. Isabelle Gärtner-Roer

Group members:

Esther Dällenbach (MSc student) "Analysing rockglacier ground surface temperatures between 2001 and 2023 in the Hungerlitälli, Turtmann valley (VS)"

Giona Crivelli (MSc student) "Seasonal variability of rock glaciers kinematics using UAV photogrammetry and GNSS: A case study in the southern Swiss Alps, Ticino"

Jonas Kubik (MSc student) "Developing a Virtual Excursion for University Didactics in the Field of High-Mountain Geomorphology"

Flurina Durisch (MSc student) "Long-term evolution of different permafrost landforms on the north-western slope of Piz Corvatsch, Engadin"

Belongs to the organizational unit:

Glaciology and Geomorphodynamics