Ice segregation as an origin for lenses of non-glacial ice in 'ice cemented' rock glaciers.

Abstract

In order to flow with the gradients observed (10o to 15o) rock glaciers cannot simply be ice-cemented rock debris, but probably contain masses or lenses of debris-free ice. The nature and origin of the ice in rock glaciers that are in no way connected to ice glaciers has not been adequately explained. Ice segregation on a large scale would produce lenses of clear ice of sufficient size to permit the streams or lobes of rock debris to flow with gradients comparable to those of glaciers. It would also account for the substantial loss in volume that takes place when a rock glacier stablizes and collapses. -from Author