Relationship between four ground patterns, structure of the active layer. and type and distribution of ice in the permafrost
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26485/BP/1963/12/2Keywords:
ground patterns, active layer, permafrost, subsurface processes, periglacial geomorphologyAbstract
Four ground patterns were investigated by means of excavations cut in the outwash near Thule, Greenland: circular and linear depressions in unsorted material, polygonal troughs in unsorted material, sorted circles, and irregular mounds and depressions of low relief formed in unsorted finer grained material. Correlation is made between surface pattern, grain size and structure of the active layer, and type and distribution of ground ice for the patterns investigated. Classification of the active layer as disturbed, slightly disturbed, and undisturbed is based on the condition of primary depositional bedding and the presence or absence of vertical sorting. Other features of the active layer, depending upon its type, are an accumulation of fines at the bottom of the active layer and on top of stones, and a siliceous calcareous evaporite on the under surface and clean washed coarser particles beneath the larger stones. Fabric analysis of four kinds of ground ice is presented: ice wedge, relict ice, ice mass, and ice lens, as well as analysis of the contact of ice wedges with relict and mass ice. Practical applications, based on the conclusions, are given for the selection of foundation sites and the location of non-frost-susceptible building materials. A glossary of selected terms and appendices concerning the use of geophysical and plant ecological studies as indicators of various features of the active layer and permafrost, recommendations for further field and laboratory studies, and recommendations on field and laboratory techniques are presented.
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