An overview on cryogeophysics in the alpine environment

Geophysics allows us to characterise glaciers and snow properties in order to evaluate the hazard associated with the evolution of the snow/ice masses. The danger is often associated with recent phenomena of rapid deglaciation with consequent collapses of ice and rock, or with releases of water contained in the glaciers. The morphology of the rock substrate and the presence of various kinds of conduits and cavities, making up the internal hydrological network, can be investigated by seismic and radar methods; the presence of water in internal cavities of temperate glaciers can be successfully detected through georadar measurements. In the nivological context, the geophysical approach, adopting seismic and electromagnetic methods, can serve as a tool to characterise and monitor some physical properties of the snowpack. The evaluation of these parameters makes it possible to estimate the risk and the imminence associated with the snow-gliding avalanche release. We discuss the basic theoretical background of the relationships between geophysical investigated parameters and ice/snow properties; moreover, we illustrate some examples of applications of seismic and electromagnetic methods to detect the snow and ice properties in high elevation Alpine regions.