An undercooled scree slope detected by geophysical investigations in sporadic permafrost below 1000 M ASL, Central Austria

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

STIEGLER, C.

Dept. of Physical geography and Ecosystem Science, Univ., Lund, Suede

RODE, M.

Dept. of Geography and Regional Science, Graz, Autriche

SASS, O.

Dept. of Geography and Regional Science, Graz, Autriche

OTTO, J.-C.

Dept. of Geography and Geology, Univ., Salzburg, Autriche

Description :
Multi-method geophysical investigations, accompanied by microclimatic measurements and vegetation mapping, were performed at an undercooled scree slope near Schladming (Austria) in the eastern Alps in order to detect, map and monitor mountain permafrost. Geophysical measurements with electrical resistivity tomography, ground-penetrating radar and seismic refraction indicate the presence of several isolated areas of frozen ground over a full year, far below the regional lower limit of mountain permafrost. Frozen sediments identified at shallow depths (beneath 1-3 m) were 5-20 m thick and ice-rich. Near-surface temperatures at the foot of the scree slope were strongly influenced by pronounced cooling. Vegetation mapping showed a dominance of cryophilic plant species. The results suggest that the scree slope is strongly influenced by the interplay of vegetation cover, ground thermal regime and the distribution of frozen sediments.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Permafrost and periglacial processes, issn : 1045-6740, 2014, vol. 25, n°. 3, p. 194-207, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2014

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

Langue :
Anglais