Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1511
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1511
16 Jul 2024
 | 16 Jul 2024

Optimizing rock glaciers activity classification in South Tyrol (North-East Italy): integrating multisource data with statistical modelling

Chiara Crippa, Stefan Steger, Giovanni Cuozzo, Francesca Bearzot, Volkmar Mair, and Claudia Notarnicola

Abstract. As a consequence of climate warming, high-altitude periglacial and glacial environments exhibit the clearest signs of cryosphere degradation, and the Alps serve as a natural laboratory for studying the primary effects on permafrost-related features. Our research in South Tyrol, North-East Italy, aimed to develop an updated classification system for rock glaciers activity, based on remote sensing data and statistical models, with the aim of categorizing them as active, transitional, or relict according to the recent RGIK guidelines. Since the current regional inventory includes activity attributes based only on morphological observations and differential SAR interferometry (DInSAR) coherence, it lacks a comprehensive definition integrating climatic drivers, displacement rates, and morphometric parameters. To address this, we utilized the Alaska Satellite Facility's InSAR cloud computing, employing small baseline subset (SBAS) approach and MintPy algorithms to extract velocity data for each rock glacier in South Tyrol. Additionally, we analyzed geomorphological and climatic maps derived from in-situ and remote sensing data to obtain descriptive parameters influencing rock glaciers development and activity. From a wide range of potential variables, we selected eight key predictors, representing physical (e.g. temperature), morphological (e.g. roughness), and dynamic (e.g. velocity and coherence indicators) attributes. These predictors were successively integrated in a multiclass generalized additive mixing model (GAM) classifier to categorize the landforms. Applying this model to the entire dataset (achieving an AUC over 0.9) allowed us to address gaps in previous classification methods and provided activity attributes for previously unclassified rock glaciers, along with associated uncertainty values. Our approach improved classification accuracy, leaving only 3.5 % of features unclassified compared to 13 % in morphological classification and 18.5 % in DInSAR-based methods. The results revealed a predominance of relict features (~75 %) and a smaller number of active ones (~10 %). The distribution of active, transitional, and relict classes suggests that the transition from active to relict states is not a direct process. Instead, an intermediate transitional phase is commonly observed. This comprehensive approach refines the categorization of mapped features and improves our understanding of the factors influencing rock glaciers activity in alpine environment.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

04 Sep 2025
Optimizing rock glacier activity classification in South Tyrol (northeastern Italy): integrating multisource data with statistical modelling
Chiara Crippa, Stefan Steger, Giovanni Cuozzo, Francesca Bearzot, Volkmar Mair, and Claudia Notarnicola
The Cryosphere, 19, 3493–3515, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3493-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3493-2025, 2025
Short summary
Chiara Crippa, Stefan Steger, Giovanni Cuozzo, Francesca Bearzot, Volkmar Mair, and Claudia Notarnicola

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1511', Anonymous Referee #1, 04 Nov 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Chiara Crippa, 02 Dec 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1511', Anonymous Referee #2, 24 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1511', Anonymous Referee #1, 04 Nov 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Chiara Crippa, 02 Dec 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1511', Anonymous Referee #2, 24 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to revisions (further review by editor and referees) (28 Mar 2025) by Tobias Bolch
AR by Chiara Crippa on behalf of the Authors (07 Apr 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (07 Apr 2025) by Tobias Bolch
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (21 Apr 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (26 May 2025) by Tobias Bolch
AR by Chiara Crippa on behalf of the Authors (29 May 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (11 Jun 2025) by Tobias Bolch
AR by Chiara Crippa on behalf of the Authors (11 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (13 Jun 2025) by Tobias Bolch
AR by Chiara Crippa on behalf of the Authors (16 Jun 2025)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

04 Sep 2025
Optimizing rock glacier activity classification in South Tyrol (northeastern Italy): integrating multisource data with statistical modelling
Chiara Crippa, Stefan Steger, Giovanni Cuozzo, Francesca Bearzot, Volkmar Mair, and Claudia Notarnicola
The Cryosphere, 19, 3493–3515, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3493-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3493-2025, 2025
Short summary
Chiara Crippa, Stefan Steger, Giovanni Cuozzo, Francesca Bearzot, Volkmar Mair, and Claudia Notarnicola
Chiara Crippa, Stefan Steger, Giovanni Cuozzo, Francesca Bearzot, Volkmar Mair, and Claudia Notarnicola

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Latest update: 04 Sep 2025
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
Our study, focused on South Tyrol (NE Italy), develops an updated and comprehensive activity classification system for all rock glaciers in the current regional inventory. Using multisource products, we integrate climatic, morphological and DInSAR data in replicable routines and multivariate statistical methods producing a comprehensive classification based on the updated RGIK 2023 guidelines. Results leave only 3.5% of the features non-classified respect to the 13–18.5% of the previous studies.
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