Minkowski densities and density functions are measures for quantifying arbitrary binary patterns. They are employed here to describe permafrost patterns obtained from aerial photographs. The AA. demonstrate that images taken at 2 neighbouring sites
shown distinctly different patterns and quantify the difference. It is found that one of the sites exhibits an essentially single-scale structure while the other one has a multiscale organization. Minkowski densities and density functions are thus
proposed as sensitive and objective measures to quantify the change of permafrost patterns in space or in time.
Mudboil and ice-wedge dynamics investigated by electrical resistivity tomography, ground temperatures and surface movements in Svalbard
Active layer ; Arctic Region ; Electrical resistivity tomography ; Freeze-thaw cycle ; Geophysics ; Ice wedge ; Patternedground ; Periglacial features ; Permafrost ; Soil properties ; Soil temperature ; Svalbard
The AA. applied electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to understand near-surface conditions of 2 types of patternedground, ice-wedge polygons and mudboils in Svalbard. Automated monitoring shows surface movement characterized by annual cycles
and near-surface hydrological conditions at periglacial patternedground sites, where automated soil thermal and moisture measurements are limited.
are described : a high-latitude assemblage comprising features interpreted to be sorted clastic stripes, circles and polygons, non-sorted polygonally patternedground, fluvial gullies, and solifluction lobes; a mid-latitude assemblage comprising gullies
, patternedground, debris-covered glaciers and hillslope stripes; and an equatorial assemblage of linked basins, patternedground, possible pingos, and channel-and-scarp features interpreted to be retrogressive thaw-slumps. Hypotheses to explain
Soil nitrogen transformations associated with small patterned-ground features along a North American Arctic transect
Alaska ; Arctic Region ; Biogeochemical cycle ; Canada ; Cold area ; Geochemistry ; Latitude ; Nitrogen ; Patternedground ; Spatial analysis ; Tundra
Small patterned-ground features (PGFs) in the Arctic have unique soil properties that vary with latitude and may greatly affect tundra biogeochemistry. Because nitrogen availability can strongly limit arctic vegetation growth, the AA. examined how
Ground temperature variability on a glacier foreland, Storbreen, Jotunheimen, Norway
, mimic ground temperature patterns. Although no wintertime field observations are available, the depth and duration of seasonal snow cover appears to be the primary source of variability.
This paper presents an analysis of ground temperature variation (10 cm and 50 cm) gathered from August 1998 through July 2000 across the glacier foreland of Storbreen, a cirque glacier in the Jotunheimen Mountains. Categorical data in the form
Earth surface processes ; Experimentation ; Freezing ; Model ; Patternedground ; Rock ; Soil ; Spatial distribution
Theoretical model experiments demonstrate that non-periglacial sorted nets can develop on any piece of unobstructed ground surface that has little or no gradient, if it bears a loose, discontinuous cover of pebble-sized stones and if these particles
Uncommon groundings: Fred B. Kniffen's place in current cultural geography
F. KNIFFEN's (1900-1993) original scholarly inspiration came from C. SAUER at the University of California. For more than 60 years, Kniffen played a prominent role in material culture studies, particularly folk housing, and the patterns
Cold area ; Fault ; Glacial features ; Landslide ; Lapland ; Mountain ; Patternedground ; Seismicity ; Sweden
In the mountain area of Swedish Lapland, landforms with semicircular or horse-shoe ridges encircling hummocky ground occur. They are interpreted as landslide or avalanche deposits directly upon, from or adjacent to down-wasting ice. Since
Africa ; Gelifraction ; Palaeo-environment ; Patternedground ; Periglacial features ; Permafrost ; Soil erosion ; Solifluction
periglacial processes, the identification of landforms and ground-ice forms, the potential for environmental change and the palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, and the application of periglacial studies. It is concluded that Africa has considerable potential
Diurnal variations in the characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning activity in the Great Lakes region of the United States
Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning observations for the warm season thunderstorms (May-September) of 1989 and 1990 were analyzed for the Great Lakes region. Diurnal variations in the frequency, spatial extent, flash density, amplitude, and polarity
to month) variation was observed in the diurnal patterns for several of the lightning parameters.
An example of river pattern evolution produced during the lateral growth of a central polygenic volcano : the case of the Alcantara river system, Mt Etna (Italy)
The AA. present a detailed reconstruction of the pre-volcanic morphology of the north and northeastern flanks of Mt Etna, of the thick volcanic cover stratigraphy and its ground water circulation. Data were obtained correlating geological survey
with unpublished subsurface investigations, consisting of geophysical and stratigraphic analysis of boreholes drilled in the area while searching for ground water. On the basis of these data and new C 14 dating they have defined the main evolutionary phases of both
Freezing ; New Zealand ; Patternedground ; Periglacial features ; Soil moisture ; Soil temperature ; South Island ; Temperature gradient
The mechanisms of maintenance of earth hummocks and non-sorted stripes in seasonally frozen ground on the Old Man Range, Otago, were investigated. An array of thermistors at each of 2 sites was used to monitor soil temperature gradients during 3
winters, and replicate soil cores were taken in autumn and winter to determine soil moisture gradients. Freezing occurred mainly in the crests and sides (heavily influenced by aspect), and patterns of freezing showed strong interannual consistency. Soil
For this period, the total number of identified published research papers was 72. Topics relating to ice wedges, thermokarst, palsas and patternedground were characterised by high publication activity. Current trends suggest 3 main research thrusts
Active layer ; Alaska ; Arctic Region ; Climate ; Cold area ; Cryoturbation ; Ecosystem ; Patternedground ; Soil properties ; Vegetation
This paper presents observations of frost boils in northern Alaska. It presents a hypothesis of how vegetation affects small-scale patterned-ground features across the complete Arctic climate gradient. Although not directly part of the Circumpolar