Un episodio parossistico nell’evoluzione dei ghiacciai del Gruppo del Monviso: il crollo del Ghiacciaio Superiore di Coolidge

A case of sudden evolution of Monviso glaciers: the ice avalanche of Upper Coolidge Glacier

Abstract

An ice avalanche (about 200,000 m3) occurred in July 1989 from Upper Coolidge Glacier on the northern side of
Monviso. The mass, having plunged throught a vertical depth of 935 m, swept up a considerable amount of morainic
debris. More than 250,000 m2 were covered with a layer of ice, snow and debris. The avalanche travelled uphill on the
opposite side of the valley, attaining a height of 50 m above the valley floor. The Monviso ice avalanche was triggered by
a combination of morphological and climatic factors. No similar event was ever been record. ed before in the region.