Rock Glacier Characteristics Under Semiarid Climate Conditions in the Western Nyainqêntanglha Range, Tibetan Plateau

Rock glaciers are receiving increased attention as a potential source of water and indicator climate change in periglacial landscapes. They consist an ice-debris mixture, which creeps downslope. Although rock wide-spread feature on the Tibetan Plateau, characteristics such its ice fraction unknown superficial debris layer inhibits remote assessments. We investigate one glacier semiarid western Nyainqêntanglha range (WNR) with multi-method approach, combines geophysical, geological geomorphological field investigations sensing techniques. Long-term kinematics detected by 4-year InSAR time series analysis. The content active examined electrical resistivity tomography, ground penetrating radar, environmental seismology. Short-term activity (11-days) is captured seismic network. Clast analysis shows sorting glacier's debris. has three zones, defined following characteristics: (a) Two predominant lithology types preserved separately patterns, (b) heterogeneous activity, (c) distinct fractions. Conceptually, studied discussed endmember glacier—debris-covered glacier—rock continuum. This, turn, can be linked to location lee-side mountain against Indian summer monsoon. Geologically preconditioned glacially overprinted, suggested recurring example for similar WNR. This study highlights how geology, topography influence development.