GEG 3102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Permafrost, Water Cycle, Aquifer
5 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Is a condition of the ground, not a landform or landscape. Soil or rock that remains at or below 0 c for at least 2 years. Found in colder regions of the earth, generally where the maat is below 0 c. There are zones without permafrost (new sediments, below rivers and deep lakes) Some is as old as 2 million years. Thickness of over 500 m (exceeds 1500 m in some places) From the southern limits of continuous zone. Absent in warm soil, south facing slopes, well drained ground & where there is thick snow cover. Taliks are regions in the permafrost that are not cryotic (frozen) Alpine permafrost is driven by altitude, but follows a latitudinal trend. Exposure/slope characteristics, host material (bedrock vs. soil), drainage, vegetation. Typically bedrock has a higher thermal conductivity, for soil: water increase the thermal conductivity and organic mater lowers it. Angle of the sun is also important.
