The distribution, thermal characteristics and dynamics of permafrost in Tröllaskagi, Northern Iceland, as inferred from the distribution of rock glaciers and ice-cored moraines

The 50th Anniversary of the First International Conference on Permafrost and Beyond

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
This study combines recently published aerial photographs (2002–07), radar interferometry based on Advanced Land Observing Satellite phased array type L-band synthetic aperture radar (ALOS PALSAR) data (2007), land surface temperatures estimated from moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer satellite data (MODIS; 2003–10) and field mapping to re-examine the permafrost distribution, thermal characteristics and dynamics on the Tröllaskagi peninsula. An inventory of 265 landforms, mostly active or inactive (intact), categorised them by genesis and activity, the latter independently investigated by PALSAR interferometry. Intact landforms are mainly glacigenic, occurring as moraine-derived rock glaciers or ice-cored moraines. Their dominant orientation is between north and northeast, suggesting that topography and exposure influence their present-day formation. Permafrost landforms exist at all elevations on the Tröllaskagi peninsula, with intact landforms at high elevations and relict landforms reaching down to sea level. Rock glaciers at sea level may imply early deglaciation of northern Iceland.


Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Permafrost and periglacial processes, issn : 1045-6740, 2013, vol. 24, n°. 4, p. 322-335, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2013

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