Earth’s Cryosphere, 2011, Vol. XV, No. 1, p. 68-79
GENALDON ICE BLOCKAGE DESTRUCTION (NORTHERN OSSETIA) IN 2002–2006
B.R. Mavlyudov
Institute of Geography, RAS, 119017, Moscow, Staromonetny per., 29, Russia, bulatrm@bk.ru
The analysis of changes in 2002–2006 of Genaldon ice blockage, which occurred after glacial accident in Northern Ossetia in 2002 September 20th, has been presented. From the results of field investigations of 2003 and 2006 and from the analysis of previous researches and aerial photographs it has been established that the movement of ice sell occurred in two stages: after the beginning of glacier movement there was an emission of a distant glacier part which moved through Glacier Majli tongue into Genaldon Valley and stimulated the movement of Kolka Glacier tongue. The main part of ice sell filled completely the Genaldon Valley before the Karmadon Gate and the second portion of ice deviated aside the Kauridon Valleys. During the first 4 years there was intensive melting of ice blockage. Despite of moraine debris cover with average thickness about 0.6 m the melting occurred with the intensity compared to one of the clean ice melting. The reason of fast melting of ice blockage was the intensive development of glacial karst due to the action of rather warm water of the Genaldon River. Since 2006 the retardation of the ice blockage destruction began due to the development of the temporary equilibrium river profile. In future after the destruction of ice in the northern part of blockage and the lowering of the river erosion basis natural acceleration of ice blockage melting will take place.
Key words: Glacial accident, Kolka Glacier, ice blockage, glacial karst.