Rock glaciers are distinctive geomorphological landforms, consisting either of angular rock debris frozen in interstitial ice, former "true" glaciers overlain by a layer of talus, or something in-between. Rock glaciers are normally found at high latitudes and/or elevations, and may extend outward and downslope from talus cones, glaciers or terminal moraines of glaciers.[1]
There are two types of rock glaciers: periglacial glaciers (or talus-derived glaciers), and glacial rock glaciers, such as the Timpanogos Glacier in Utah, which are often found where glaciers once existed. Possible Martian rock glacier features have been identified by the Mars Orbiter spacecraft.[2] A rock glacier, especially if its origin is unclear, can be considered as a discrete debris accumulation.
- ^ Fred H. Moffit; Stephen R. Capps (1911). Geology and Mineral Resources of the Nizina District, Alaska, USGS Bulletin 448. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 54–55. doi:10.3133/b448.
- ^ Whalley, W. Brian; Azizi, F. (2003). "Rock glaciers and protalus landforms: Analogous forms and ice sources on Earth and Mars". Journal of Geophysical Research. 108 (E4): 8032. Bibcode:2003JGRE..108.8032W. doi:10.1029/2002JE001864.