New radar surveys in monitoring the evolution of the Calderone Glacier (Central Apennines, Italy)

Abstract

The Calderone Glacier on the Gran Sasso d'Italia massif (Central Apennines) is a small debris-covered glacier of less than 5 ha. Located in the center of the Mediterranean area, the little apparatus well shows the generalized retreat phase of mid-latitude European glaciers. The current thickness of the residual ice (27 m maximum) was evaluated by ground-probing radar surveying and, in addition, the morphology of the bedrock was determined. The comparison with previous surveys revealed a clear reduction in the thickness of the ice near the terminal moraine and in the central part of the glacier. The overall results lend support to the possibility of developments in the use of ground-penetrating radar for detailed site investigations. In this regard, indirect mass balance evaluations carried out on the basis of the annual evaluation of ice thickness variations at control points seem to present interesting prospects.