Beyond confusion: Rock glaciers as cryo-conditioned landforms

Whether rock glaciers are permafrost creep features or may also be related to glaciers in non-permafrost environments, and whether they should be defined by genesis or appearance, have caused heated debate for several decades. This paper analyses the rock glacier debate from a theoretical viewpoint, in order to highlight and discuss underlying problems and with the aim of providing a common conceptual framework from which to proceed. It is suggested that the morphological rock glacier definition should be abandoned. A new genetic definition is proposed where permafrost is the primary condition, but where the deforming ice/debris may be of both glacial and periglacial origin.

► Underlying reasons for the rock glacier debate are identified
► Permafrost is a necessary condition for rock glacier development
► A permafrost origin is compatible with glacial ice content in rock glaciers
► A new definition of rock glaciers is proposed