 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Rock Glacier in Colorado Rockies

   November 16, 2021


    Stan_rockglacier

   Photographer:  Stan Wagon

   Summary Authors:  Andrew Fountain:  Stan Wagon

    Rock glaciers are accumulations of ice and rock with rock exposed
   on the surface and ice hidden within the interior. Unlike  talus
   slopes, rock glaciers flow. There are more than 650 rock glaciers in
   the Colorado mountains and this photograph shows a rock glacier near
   Colorado's  Mt. Elbert (14,430 feet or 4,398 m), the highest peak in
   the  Rocky Mountains. This feature is on the northeast side of the
   southeast ridge of  Bull Hill (13,761 feet or 4,194), just south of
   Elbert. One can deduce the existence of ice under the rocks from the
   steepness of the rock face at the snout, the general inflated shape,
   and the evidence of down-valley flow. The example shown does not extend
   much down-valley so it may not be moving. Thus we would think of it as
   a "feature of interest", meaning that it has characteristics suggesting
   the presence of ice and might be a rock glacier. Photo taken on
   September 22, 2021.
   Photo details: SONY A6500 camera; ISO 250; f/14; 1/250 second exposure;
   53 mm.
     * Bull Hill Mountain (southeast ridge), Colorado Coordinates:
       39.09472, -106.4547

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    More...

Geology Links

     *  Earthquakes
     *  Geologic Time
     *  Geomagnetism
     *  General Dictionary of Geology
     *  Mineral and Locality Database
     *  Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
     *  This Dynamic Earth
     *  USGS
     *  USGS Ask a Geologist
     *  USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
     *  USGS Volcano Hazards Program

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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

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