Reply to the discussion on the paper entitled “Formations of rock glacier in Karçal mountains” published in bulletin for earth sciences (2015, 36 (2), 61-80)

Abstract

This article, was written in response to the criticism of our article “Rock Glacier Formations in the Karçal Mountains” published in Geoscience journal in the 2nd volume of the 36th issue. This article is to classification of the rock glaciers and identification of their geographical features which were recognized during the observations in the field work on the Karçal Mountains. In this context, based on a work by Gürgen and Yeşilyurt in 2012, authors argues that the formations mentioned by us are debris covered glaciers. This judgement is based on field obser- vations of previous studies. So there has never been a debate on whether these are ice bearing rock glaciers or debris covered glaciers due to not having a different methodology than this study. Because the purpose of the aforementioned study was to investigate the erosion and deposition patterns of glaciation in Pleistocene. However, the author makes his assessment only by using the remote sensing method based on a previous work. That is why it is inevitable for his assessment to contain some shortcomings and errors. There is no doubt that these are rock glacier formations as described in publication. In the region, there are, of course, some new debris covered or naked cirque glaciers. Nevertheless, the focus of this work is rock glaciers; therefore, actual glacier formations are taken out of this work. Specified as periglacial formations in the international arena, rock glaciers are also assessed by us in this context. As stated in the international arena rock glaciers form of periglacial, authors also assessed in this context. © 2015, Hacettepe Universitesi Yerbilmleri. All rights reserved.