An assessment of the erosion potential of the fluvial thermal process during ice breakups of the Lena River (Siberia)

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
During the initial stage of ice breakup of the Lena River (Yakutia, Siberia), ice pushes up onto the river banks and produces large accumulations of ice and sediments that protect the islands' heads against the mechanical and thermal effects of the river's flow. This initial stage is relatively short and terminates only a few days after breakup begins. In the second phase of flooding, after the river ice has melted, the island heads become free of ice. Hence, when water levels are high, the floodwaters are in sustained contact with the frozen banks of the islands, causing efficient thermal and mechanical erosion of their banks. Such erosion may also occur later in summer, if there is a second discharge peak. Between 2009 and 2012, the retreat of the banks of the river islands displayed high interannual variation that is attributed to the variability of the duration and timing of the flood season.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Permafrost and periglacial processes, issn : 1045-6740, 2014, vol. 25, n°. 3, p. 162-171, nombre de pages : 10, Références bibliographiques : 28 ref.

Date :
2014

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley