Comparing the characteristics of rockfall talus and snow avalanche landforms in an Alpine environment using a new methodological approach: Massif des Ecrins, French Alps

The geometry and sedimentology of 49 talus slope deposits have been analysed in the French Alps to show the effects of snow avalanche activity on their characteristics. Twenty slopes are heavily avalanche-modified, 15 are snow-avalanche boulder tongues and 14 are rockfall-talus slopes. Slope angle, slope segmentation, longitudinal and sorting indices provide criteria to differentiate these deposits. Although the transition from rockfall- to avalanche-dominated slopes is gradational, a “transitional talus” is identified with distinctive characteristics.