ReviewParaglacial rock-slope stability

Glaciation and deglaciation, along with their associated climatic and non-climatic processes, modify slope stresses and influence slope stability. Paraglacial slope failures are those that are a part of, or influenced by, the transition from glacial conditions to non-glacial conditions. Gravitational failure of rock slopes is a primary and dominant process of slope evolution in mountainous terrain and is the subject of this paper, which: (1) reviews the approaches taken for researching paraglacial rock slope failure patterns and processes; (2) summarises the spatial and temporal patterns of post-glacial failures; (3) assesses the factors influencing slope stability during glaciation and deglaciation; (4) explores some of the applications of paraglacial research; and (5) highlights some of the outstanding issues to be resolved and provides recommendations for terminology relating to paraglacial slope processes.

► Review of paraglacial rock slope stability. ► Many factors influence post-glacial landslide activity. ► Controls on timing of failure and development of instability remain uncertain. ► Sheet-joint formation, seismicity, and debuttressing are research targets.