Research group Permafrost and Snow Climatology

Permafrost

Permanently frozen ground (so called permafrost) is widespread in the Alps above around 2500 m asl . Climate change can influence permafrost occurrence in several ways. The study of slope stability in ice-bearing permafrost features (e.g. rock glaciers, moraines) and of debris flows and rockfall in permafrost areas is becoming increasingly relevant due to the growing use of mountain areas for human activities. We investigate the interactions between permafrost, mountain infrastructure and the snow cover.

Snow Climatology

In the Alps snow is frequently close to its melting point. The snow cover therefore reacts very sensitively to climate change. Strong warming leads to precipitation in the form of rainfall and the existing snowpack can melt away. The distribution, depth and density of the snow cover can therefore all be subject to change. In order to quantify such changes and to classify individual particular winters (e.g. snow rich ones or winters lacking snow), long term measurement data is essential for snow climatology.

Contact

• Marcia Phillips