Structure and evolution of slope rock glaciers (Inner Tien-Shan and Terskei-Alatau Ridge)

Abstract

Slope rock glaciers consist of coarse debris and ice, the cryogenous structure being of basic type. The structure, spatial distribution, formation and evolution of the rock glaciers depend on climatic and geocryological conditions, rocks lithology, slope angle and profile, as well as on the slope processes rate. The slope rock glaciers formation and evolution are conditioned by an action of a number of cryogenic processes and by plasticviscous characteristics of the rock glaciers material.