An examination of the spatial distribution of rock glaciers in Jasper National Park, Alberta

Abstract

Rock glaciers are prominent landforms within alpine environments, yet their spatial distribution and geomorphic significance remain poorly documented in many mountainous regions of Canada. This study presents the first comprehensive inventory of rock glaciers within Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, developed through manual interpretation of high‐resolution satellite imagery and a 10 m digital elevation model. A total of 1,718 rock glaciers were identified and classified by confidence level based on morphological criteria including ridge‐and‐furrow texture, headwall expression, and frontal slope development. Most features occur between 2,000 m and 2,400 m a.s.l. on north‐ to northeast‐facing slopes averaging 25–30°, conditions that coincide with the modern permafrost transition zone in the Canadian Rockies. Clustering along the park's western and southeastern margins suggests a strong topo‐climatic and glacial influence on formation and preservation. These results identify broad topographic and geographic patterns in mapped rock glacier occurrence and establish a spatially explicit baseline for future inventory refinement. The revised inventory is provided as a searchable toe‐point catalogue to support future validation, polygon‐based mapping, and targeted geomorphic, hydrological, and permafrost investigations in Jasper National Park.