Snow cover and depth of freeze-thaw on the Tibetan Plateau : a case study from 1997 to 1998
Active layer ; China ; Mountain ; Periglacial features ; Permafrost ; Plateau ; Qinghai ; Snow ; Snow cover ; Soil temperature ; Tibet
Observation sites in this study are located primarily along the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Highway. Analysis is focused on air and soil temperature, soil moisture, freeze-thaw depths, and snow depth in years of normal (1998/1999) and abnormally heavy
(1997/1998) snow cover. Results indicate that anomalously deep snow cover influenced the pattern of soil freeze-thaw depth through its control over ground temperature. Snow cover can also contribute to the cooling process through its high albedo
. Interannual variations in snow depth have significant implications for the maintenance of Tibetan permafrost.