#IMC | Innsbruck, Austria

September 10 - 14 2028

Analysis of glacier behavior, runout dynamics, and event magnitude from orthophotos and DEM differencing

Abstract ID: 3.21253
| Accepted as Talk
| Abstract is registered
| 2025-09-18 09:00 - 09:05
Jacquemart, M. (1,2)
Hodel, E. (1,2); Andreas, B. (1,2); and Farinotti, D. (1,2)
(1) Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH, Zurich
(2) Federal Institute of Forest, Snow and Landscape research (WSL), Sion, Switzerland
How to cite: Jacquemart, M.; Hodel, E.; Andreas, B.; and Farinotti, D.: Analysis of glacier behavior, runout dynamics, and event magnitude from orthophotos and DEM differencing, International Mountain Conference 2025, Innsbruck, Sep 14 - 18 2025, #IMC25-3.21253, 2025.
Categories: Hazards
Keywords: glacier, hazard, rock avalanche
Categories: Hazards
Keywords: glacier, hazard, rock avalanche
Abstract
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We have analyzed a number of digital elevation models (DEMs) and orthophotos to reconstruct the pre-event behavior of Birchglacier, the volumes that were involved in the catastrophic collapse, as well as the dynamics of the runout of the rock-ice avalanche. The analysis of the pre-event DEMs shows the unusual behavior of the Birchglacier in the years prior to the event. Between 2011 and 2025, Birchglacier advanced by several tens of meters, thinning up-stream and thickening at the terminus. It is critical to understand how this behavior may have influenced the 2025 collapse.

We also compared pre- and post event DEMs to estimate the volumes, the deposited and eroded amount of material that was involved in the event. From orthophotos we mapped deposit structures that can help reconstruct the dynamics of the event, offering valuable information to calibrate numerical models.