Earth’s Cryosphere, 2012, vol. XVI, No. 2, с. 3–8

ROCK GLACIERS, KURUMS, GLACIERS AND PERMAFROST IN THE MOUNTAINS OF TURKEY (GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW)

A.P. Gorbunov

Melnikov Permafrost Institute, SB RAS, Kazakhstan Alpine Geocryological Laboratory,
050000, Almaty, P/O box 138, Kazakhstan; permafrost.08@mail.ru

Analysis of satellite imagery of Google revealed active, inactive and fossil rock glaciers, glaciers, chingilskurums and permafrost. The total number of rock glaciers is about 600. Among them, there are about 200 active glaciers. Active and inactive forms are located mainly in the range of altitudes 3400–2800 m. In some places, fossil rock glaciers go down to 2200–2300 m isohypses. The largest rock glaciers can reach 1200–1300 m long. The small cirque glaciers predominate in the mountains of Turkey. Their usual length is 200–300 m. The largest reaches a length of 2000 m. The number of glaciers is at least 80. They are confined to nine mountain ranges. Kurum fields (chingils) are characteristic of mountain summits to the north-east of Turkey. They are tracked down to an altitude of 2650 m. Permafrost is confined to 40 mountain regions.

Key words: Active, inactive, fossil rock glaciers, chingils-kurums, glaciers, permafrost.

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