Vernagtferner flute field findings, Austrian Alps

Glacial forefields host abundant information regarding the sedimentary processes associated with glacier dynamics. Transport pathways and sediment deposition can be characterized by investigating the landforms and sediments found in these areas. One such area is the Vernagtferner forefield in the Austrian Alps, which contrasts with other surrounding glaciers due to the presence of a large surface covered by flutes. These flutes can reach up to 250 m in length and have been continuously exposed over the past decades as the glacier recedes, but have not been researched recently. Since this glacier has been regularly studied (with records from as early as 1601) and it has been linked to surging episodes in the past, there are plenty of questions to be answered related to its current behavior. Here we present the results of sedimentological observations, as well as geomorphological mapping and statistics based on fieldwork, historical, and uncrewed aerial vehicle imagery. We highlight aspects of the glacial forefield and the contrast between what can be seen in 2023-2024 and snapshots from the past 50 years. In a changing climate, understanding how rapid glacial recession affects the deposition of sediments and the parameters that govern them will be useful in deciphering glacial dynamics and contrasting them with the paleorecord.