Interactions and relations between mountain permafrost, glaciers, snow and water

Harris, Stuart A.; Corte, Arturo E.

doi:10.1002/ppp.3430030207

Cited by 32 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The observed uneven distribution of the rock glaciers is in agreement with the findings of previous studies (Guodong and Dramis, 1992;Harris and Corte, 1992;Kenner and Magnusson, 2017). In glacierized areas, i.e., Sector 2, rock glaciers are sparse.…”

Section: Rock Glacier Inventorysupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Sub-region 1 is also exposed to this climate but, due to the substantially lower elevations hardly reaching 2,500 m a.s.l., there are only small glaciers. Sub-region 3 is sheltered from this influence, resulting in a drier and more continental climate, where periglacial activity flourishes (Guodong and Dramis, 1992;Harris and Corte, 1992;Monnier, 2006). These three sub-regions present also a different lithology.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Permafrost Favorability Index: Spatial Modeling in the French Alps Using a Rock Glacier Inventory

et al. 2017

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In the present study we used the first rock glacier inventory for the entire French Alps to model spatial permafrost distribution in the region. Climatic and topographic data evaluated at the rock glacier locations were used as predictor variables in a Generalized Linear Model. Model performances are strong, suggesting that, in agreement with several previous studies, this methodology is able to model accurately rock glacier distribution. A methodology to estimate model uncertainties is proposed, revealing that the subjectivity in the interpretation of rock glacier activity and contours may substantially bias the model. The model highlights a North-South trend in the regional pattern of permafrost distribution which is attributed to the climatic influences of the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates. Further analysis suggest that lower amounts of precipitation in the early winter and a thinner snow cover, as typically found in the Mediterranean area, could contribute to the existence of permafrost at higher temperatures compared to the Northern Alps. A comparison with the Alpine Permafrost Index Map (APIM) shows no major differences with our model, highlighting the very good predictive power of the APIM despite its tendency to slightly overestimate permafrost extension with respect to our database. The use of rock glaciers as indicators of permafrost existence despite their time response to climate change is discussed and an interpretation key is proposed in order to ensure the proper use of the model for research as well as for operational purposes.

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Section: Rock Glacier Inventorysupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Permafrost Favorability Index: Spatial Modeling in the French Alps Using a Rock Glacier Inventory

et al. 2017

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“…On the south face, ASOs were lower at the snowcovered sensors (BH_S and S3) than at the snow-free sensors (S1 and S2), indicating that snow lowers the MAGST. This reduced warming effect could result from the combination of (i) thin snow cover with negligible thermo-insulation, (ii) a higher surface albedo, and (iii) melt energy consumption (Harris and Corte, 1992;Pogliotti, 2011). The latter two factors seem to be prevalent at the AdM because snow cover on the south face is often greater than 1 m thick during winter (Sect.…”

Section: Reported a Maximum Aso Valuementioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal characteristics of permafrost in the steep alpine rock walls of the Aiguille du Midi (Mont Blanc Massif, 3842 m a.s.l)

et al. 2015

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Abstract. Permafrost and related thermo-hydro-mechanical processes are thought to influence high alpine rock wall stability, but a lack of field measurements means that the characteristics and processes of rock wall permafrost are poorly understood. To help remedy this situation, in 2005 work began to install a monitoring system at the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m a.s.l). This paper presents temperature records from nine surface sensors (eight years of records) and three 10 m deep boreholes (4 years of records), installed at locations with different surface and bedrock characteristics. In line with previous studies, our temperature data analyses showed that: micro-meteorology controls the surface temperature, active layer thicknesses are directly related to aspect and ranged from < 2 m to nearly 6 m, and that thin accumulations of snow and open fractures are cooling factors. Thermal profiles empirically demonstrated the coexistence within a single rock peak of warm and cold permafrost (about −1.5 to −4.5 • C at 10 m depth) and the resulting lateral heat fluxes. Our results also extended current knowledge of the effect of snow, in that we found similar thermo-insulation effects as reported for gentle mountain areas. Thick snow warms shaded areas, and may reduce active layer refreezing in winter and delay its thawing in summer. However, thick snow thermo-insulation has little effect compared to the high albedo of snow which leads to cooler conditions at the rock surface in areas exposed to the sun. A consistent inflection in the thermal profiles reflected the cooling effect of an open fracture in the bedrock, which appeared to act as a thermal cutoff in the sub-surface thermal regime. Our field data are the first to be obtained from an Alpine permafrost site where borehole temperatures are below −4 • C, and represent a first step towards the development of strategies to investigate poorly known aspects in steep bedrock permafrost such as the effects of snow cover and fractures.

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“…Typically, the role of snow cover changes through the year over four distinct time periods (Fig. 14) and the timing and duration of these periods can have a considerable influence on mean annual ground temperatures (Goodrich, 1982;Harris and Corte, 1992;Keller, 1994;Seppälä, 1994;Luetschg et al, 2004). In autumn and early winter, an absence of snow or the presence of a thin cover, allows conduction of heat from the ground surface, and if thin snow is present, additional ground cooling arises from the high albedo of the snow surface.…”

Section: The Significance Of Snowmentioning

confidence: 99%

Permafrost and climate in Europe: Monitoring and modelling thermal, geomorphological and geotechnical responses

Harris

Arenson

Christiansen³

et al. 2009

Earth-Science Reviews

575

361

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We present a review of the changing state of European permafrost within a spatial zone that includes the continuous high latitude arctic permafrost of Svalbard and the discontinuous high altitude mountain permafrost of Iceland, Fennoscandia and the Alps. The paper focuses on methodological developments and data collection over the last decade or so, including research associated with the continent-scale network of instrumented permafrost boreholes established between 1998 and 2001 under the European Union PACE project. Data indicate recent warming trends, with greatest warming at higher latitudes. Equally important are the impacts of shorter-term extreme climatic events, most immediately reflected in changes in active layer thickness. A large number of complex variables, including altitude, topography, insolation and snow distribution, determine permafrost temperatures. The development of regionally calibrated empiricalstatistical models, and physically based process-oriented models, is described, and it is shown that, though more complex and data dependent, process-oriented approaches are better suited to estimating transient effects of climate change in complex mountain topography. Mapping and characterisation of permafrost depth and distribution requires integrated multiple geophysical approaches and recent advances are discussed. We report on recent research into ground ice formation, including ice segregation within bedrock and vein ice formation within ice wedge systems. The potential impacts of climate change on rock weathering, permafrost creep, landslides, rock falls, debris flows and slow mass movements are also discussed. Recent engineering responses to the potentially damaging effects of climate warming are outlined, and risk assessment strategies to minimise geological hazards are described. We conclude that forecasting changes in hazard occurrence, magnitude and frequency is likely to depend on process-based modelling, demanding improved understanding of geomorphological process-response systems and their impacts on human activity. We present a review of the changing state of European permafrost within a spatial zone that includes the continuous high latitude arctic permafrost of Svalbard and the discontinuous high altitude mountain permafrost of Iceland, Fennoscandia and the Alps. The paper focuses on methodological developments and data collection over the last decade or so, including research associated with the continent-scale network of instrumented permafrost boreholes established between 1998 and 2001 under the European Union PACE project. Data indicate recent warming trends, with greatest warming at higher latitudes. Equally important are the impacts of shorter-term extreme climatic events, most immediately reflected in changes in active layer thickness. A large number of complex variables, including altitude, topography, insolation and snow distribution, determine permafrost temperatures. The development of regionally calibrated empiricalstatistical models, and physically based ...

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Interactions and relations between mountain permafrost, glaciers, snow and water

Cited by 32 publications

References 20 publications

Permafrost Favorability Index: Spatial Modeling in the French Alps Using a Rock Glacier Inventory

Permafrost Favorability Index: Spatial Modeling in the French Alps Using a Rock Glacier Inventory

Thermal characteristics of permafrost in the steep alpine rock walls of the Aiguille du Midi (Mont Blanc Massif, 3842 m a.s.l)

Permafrost and climate in Europe: Monitoring and modelling thermal, geomorphological and geotechnical responses

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