When we were camping at Plaza de Mulas on Aconcagua, after a few days I realized that the tent city was set on top of one of these rock glaciers. I found evidence of the ice below the rocks when I looked for it. But this is the first explanation I've seen. Thanks!
This is fantastic. Very interesting and informational stuff here. I enjoy your photos as well and remember last time I was down there thinking..."Are those rock glaciers??"
Thanks for the comment Brian! I always wondered that too, they don't teach about glacial environments at our school so this report was just to force myself to learn something.
This was a topic I could barely find any info on until now despite some searching, so thank you very much for enlightening me.
As a proofreading note, I did notice that you (presumably accidentally) have the Dallas Peak rock glacier text repeated underneath the picture of the Blue Lakes rock glacier when you analyze each one independently. I'm assuming that you have the appropriate text somewhere that was supposed to go under the Blue Lakes rock glacier picture so I was hoping you could update it. I'm not trying to nitpick - it's just that this is so fascinating that I want to learn all I can about it!
I agree, it is hard to find any information on this topic, I spent forever searching for reputable sources to cite and reference. The finished product was me actually learning about them which is now pretty awesome. I am glad you enjoyed it! Whooops! I did mess that one up, I'll change that right now. Thanks for the catch! Cheers
Great article on a subject obscure even SummitPosters have questions about it.
For an A+, dump most of that intro paragraph. Just tell us it's adapted from a paper for school, and that it's based on The San Juans, removing all but one instance of the phrase, "rock glacier."
Then hand in your paper and take the rest of the day off. You earned it.
Eric
It is a really cool obscure topic. Glad you enjoyed. I'll tweak it some- most of it is just copied and pasted for my school report and I only got an 81 =(. Thanks for the comments!
A moraine is just glacial debri/material that has been pushed there by a glacier. They usually contain no ice (maybe lateral moraines do) and can exist long after the glaciers have disappeared.
Hawaii has moraines from former glaciers, but the glaciers have long since disappeared. Even places like Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa have moraines. There are moraines right in New York City as well. Many (maybe all?) of the hills in the city are moraines.
Here is a good summitpost photo of a moraine around a lake:
I did the "glacier hike" at Great Basin National Park two months ago, which takes you up the Wheeler Peak Rock Glacier. I want to do it again now that I've learned something more about its geography. Most people stop at the Bristlecone Pines, it's well worth your time to continue on into the glacier. Not only do you get a fantastic view of pyramid-shaped Wheeler Peak, you're also surrounded by fantastic rock formations that rise thousands of feet above you.
Alex Wood - Oct 22, 2012 2:02 am - Hasn't voted
Re: fascinatingNo problem! I am glad you enjoyed it! Cheers
gimpilator - Oct 14, 2012 7:43 pm - Voted 10/10
Fascinating!When we were camping at Plaza de Mulas on Aconcagua, after a few days I realized that the tent city was set on top of one of these rock glaciers. I found evidence of the ice below the rocks when I looked for it. But this is the first explanation I've seen. Thanks!
Alex Wood - Oct 22, 2012 2:03 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Fascinating!Woah! That is really awesome! How far down was the ice when you found it?
Capricorn - Oct 16, 2012 5:37 am - Hasn't voted
Enlightening.Interesting, as I was not aware of this phenomenon.
Clear illustrations and actual examples.
Nice. Thanks!
Alex Wood - Oct 22, 2012 2:06 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Enlightening.Most people arent and it seems like they are spread out all over the mountains. I had to dig deep to find info on it. Cheers!
Brian C - Oct 16, 2012 8:47 am - Voted 10/10
Great article!This is fantastic. Very interesting and informational stuff here. I enjoy your photos as well and remember last time I was down there thinking..."Are those rock glaciers??"
Now I know!
Alex Wood - Oct 22, 2012 1:59 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great article!Thanks for the comment Brian! I always wondered that too, they don't teach about glacial environments at our school so this report was just to force myself to learn something.
patyoda - Oct 17, 2012 5:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Cool!This was a topic I could barely find any info on until now despite some searching, so thank you very much for enlightening me.
As a proofreading note, I did notice that you (presumably accidentally) have the Dallas Peak rock glacier text repeated underneath the picture of the Blue Lakes rock glacier when you analyze each one independently. I'm assuming that you have the appropriate text somewhere that was supposed to go under the Blue Lakes rock glacier picture so I was hoping you could update it. I'm not trying to nitpick - it's just that this is so fascinating that I want to learn all I can about it!
Alex Wood - Oct 22, 2012 2:10 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Cool!I agree, it is hard to find any information on this topic, I spent forever searching for reputable sources to cite and reference. The finished product was me actually learning about them which is now pretty awesome. I am glad you enjoyed it! Whooops! I did mess that one up, I'll change that right now. Thanks for the catch! Cheers
myles - Oct 18, 2012 11:57 am - Voted 10/10
Great Read!What an educational article for the mountains this is.
Well done, well done indeed.
Alex Wood - Oct 22, 2012 2:04 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great Read!Thank you Myles! I am glad you enjoyed it! I spent some time doing it so I am glad its now being seen by others and not just my teacher. Cheers!
mike_lindacher - Oct 18, 2012 11:58 am - Voted 10/10
Informative, Solid Read, InterestingGreat Shots too brother!
Alex Wood - Oct 22, 2012 2:05 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Informative, Solid Read, InterestingThank you Mike! I am glad you enjoyed the article! Thanks for the comment!
Eric Sandbo - Oct 19, 2012 4:41 pm - Voted 10/10
"A"Great article on a subject obscure even SummitPosters have questions about it.
For an A+, dump most of that intro paragraph. Just tell us it's adapted from a paper for school, and that it's based on The San Juans, removing all but one instance of the phrase, "rock glacier."
Then hand in your paper and take the rest of the day off. You earned it.
Eric
Alex Wood - Oct 22, 2012 2:12 am - Hasn't voted
Re:It is a really cool obscure topic. Glad you enjoyed. I'll tweak it some- most of it is just copied and pasted for my school report and I only got an 81 =(. Thanks for the comments!
WalksWithBlackflies - Oct 25, 2012 10:16 am - Hasn't voted
Very interestingI saw the obvious rock glaciers when I climbed Sneffels from Blue Lakes. I never knew ice was still in their core. Neat stuff!
Alex Wood - Apr 26, 2016 12:23 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Very interestingIndeed there is! Well, there most likely is. More research would have to be done to actually figure out how much ice is still there
Scott - Apr 23, 2016 1:36 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Moraine vs rock glacierA moraine is just glacial debri/material that has been pushed there by a glacier. They usually contain no ice (maybe lateral moraines do) and can exist long after the glaciers have disappeared.
Hawaii has moraines from former glaciers, but the glaciers have long since disappeared. Even places like Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa have moraines. There are moraines right in New York City as well. Many (maybe all?) of the hills in the city are moraines.
Here is a good summitpost photo of a moraine around a lake:
Moraine
The ice has retreated, leaving the rocks and soil that were at the former snout of the glacier.
Rock glaciers are moving bodies of rock and ice cemented in a matrix.
Alex Wood - Apr 26, 2016 12:26 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Moraine vs rock glacierGreat response Scott!
And yes, that photo was taken on Wheeler Peak, Nevada.
1L-19 - Aug 23, 2018 4:12 pm - Voted 10/10
Great, very informativeI did the "glacier hike" at Great Basin National Park two months ago, which takes you up the Wheeler Peak Rock Glacier. I want to do it again now that I've learned something more about its geography. Most people stop at the Bristlecone Pines, it's well worth your time to continue on into the glacier. Not only do you get a fantastic view of pyramid-shaped Wheeler Peak, you're also surrounded by fantastic rock formations that rise thousands of feet above you.