Analysis of landslide volume, structures, and kinematics from satellite imagery of the 2016 Lamplugh rock avalanche, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, An

Abstract

During the past five years occurrences of large rock avalanches over glaciated terrain in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (GBNP), Alaska have drawn attention to the complex, highly variable, yet poorly understood dynamics of these events. The objective of this research is to study the emplacement processes of the Lamplugh rock avalanche through an analysis of the volume and distribution of material in conjunction with structures and surficial features within the deposit. This research demonstrates the ability to use high-resolution remotely sensed data to study rock avalanches in glaciated terrain and provides an improved framework with which to estimate many of the uncertainties affecting volume measurements in glacial environments. The Lamplugh rock avalanche occurred on June 28, 2016 and is the largest rock avalanche on record in GBNP. WorldView satellite stereo imagery was used to derive pre- and post-event, high-resolution (2m) Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). Differenced DEMs were used to calculate both source and deposit volumes and examine variations in deposit thickness. DEMs were also used in conjunction with high-resolution (~0.5m) optical imagery to map landslide structures and surficial features. The characterization of landslide structures and the evaluation of volume and thickness were used to make interpretations about emplacement processes. Unmeasured ice changes between the acquisition of pre- and post-event imagery and the rock avalanche occurrence were found to underestimate the total volume of deposited material by 91%. A large amount of surficial material downslope of the source area, much of which was likely snow and ice, was scoured and entrained during emplacement. The rock avalanche deposit is also characterized by lateral and distal rims that are significantly thicker than the interior of the deposit. The examination of overall deposit geometry in addition to the identification of structures and surficial features within the deposit indicates that emplacement occurred as multiple surges of failed rock avalanche material. An improved understanding of rock avalanche processes is critical to future hazard assessments of rock avalanches travelling on ice within GBNP and in other glaciated regions.