Differential frost heave, load casting and convection: Converging mechanisms; a discussion of the origin of cryoturbations

Vliët-Lanoé, Brigitte van

doi:10.1002/ppp.3430020207

Cited by 126 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(30 reference statements)

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“…While the accumulation of gravel or stones at the interface of peaty layers has been previously observed in the Low Arctic (Nicholson 1976) and High Arctic (Horwath et al 2008), the origin of this feature is not clear, and both studies attributed it to differential frost heave. At Ward Hunt Island, the stones showed no evidence of preferential vertical orientation, which would be expected in any periglacial concentration of rocks by mass movement and sorting (Watson and Watson 1971;Washburn 1979;Van Vliet-Lanoë 1991). The higher organic matter content measured at all depths in Sp-1 and Sp-3 and the high gravel content present at the surface in all intertracks suggest, however, that some freeze-thaw sorting occurs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…These differences between water track and intertrack near-surface thermal properties were enough to prevent the heat conduction in the water tracks, at least early during the period when the thaw depth was still shallow. This thermal behavior is common in patterned ground, which often exhibit thicker thaw penetration under the finer or barren sections (Shilts 1978;Mackay 1980;Van Vliet-Lanoë 1991).…”

Section: Thermal Role Of Running Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Water tracks in the High Arctic: a hydrological network dominated by rapid subsurface flow through patterned ground

2017

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Water tracks play a major role in the headwater basin hydrology of permafrost landscapes in Alaska and Antarctica, but less is known about these features in the High Arctic. We examined the physical and hydrological properties of water tracks on Ward Hunt Island, a polar desert site in the Canadian High Arctic, to evaluate their formation process and to compare with water tracks reported elsewhere. These High Arctic water tracks flowed through soils that possessed higher near-surface organic carbon concentrations, higher water content, and coarser material than the surrounding soils. The water track morphology suggested they were initiated by a combination of sorting, differential frost heaving, and eluviation. The resultant network of soil conduits, comparable to soil pipes, dominated the hydrology of the slope. The flow of cold water through these conduits slowed down the progression of the thawing front during summer, making the active layer consistently shallower relative to adjacent soils. Water tracks on Ward Hunt Island, and in polar desert catchments with these features elsewhere in the High Arctic, strongly influence slope hydrology and active-layer properties while also affecting vegetation distribution and the quality of runoff to the downstream lake.Key words: Patterned ground, permafrost hydrology, polar desert, sorted stripes, water tracks.Résumé : Les nappes d'eau (« water tracks ») jouent un rôle important au niveau de l'hydrologie des bassins d'amont des paysages de pergélisol en Alaska et en Antarctique, mais on en connait moins sur ces caractéristiques dans le Haut-Arctique. Nous avons examiné les propriétés physiques et hydrologiques de nappes d'eau sur l'île Ward Hunt, un site de désert polaire dans le Haut-Arctique canadien, afin d'évaluer leur processus de formation et de comparer avec les nappes d'eau documentées ailleurs. Ces nappes d'eau dans le HautArctique coulaient à travers des sols dont les concentrations en carbone organique proche de la surface et la teneur en eau étaient plus élevées, et dont le matériau était plus grossier que celui des sols environnants. La morphologie de nappes d'eau laisse entendre qu'elles ont été engendrées par une combinaison de triage, de soulèvement par le gel différentiel et d'éluviation. Le réseau de conduits de sol (comparables à des tuyaux de sol) qui en résulte dominait l'hydrologie de la pente. L'écoulement d'eau froide par ces conduits ralentissait la progression du front de dégel pendant l'été, entraînant la diminution systématique de l'épaisseur de la couche active par rapport aux sols adjacents. Les nappes d'eau sur l'île Ward Hunt, et dans les bassins hydrologiques de désert polaire ayant ces caractéristiques

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Thermal Role Of Running Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

Water tracks in the High Arctic: a hydrological network dominated by rapid subsurface flow through patterned ground

2017

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“…Cryoturbation occurs not only in the active layer, but also in the transition zone during episodic deep thaw events. Although there is some debate in the literature as to the mechanism of cryoturbation, the predominant mechanisms appear to be differential frost heave, load casting, and convection (Mackay, 1980;Van Vliet-Lanoë, 1991).…”

Section: Delineation Of the Transition Zone In Arctic Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Admixed organic matter in the transition zone can be radiocarbon-dated (Brown, 1965a, b;Tarnocai and Zoltai, 1978;Zoltai et al, 1978), and fossil pollen can be recovered from these layers for paleoclimatic reconstruction (Eisner et al, 2005). Cryoturbation processes are important in environmental reconstruction (Van Vliet-Lanoë, 1988). …”

Section: Implications Of the Transition Zone In Soil Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics and Significance of the Transition Zone in Drained Thaw-Lake Basins of the Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska

Bockheim¹,

Hinkel²

2010

ARCTIC

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ABSTRACT. In the three-component conceptual model of arctic soils, the transition zone is recognized as a layer intermediate between the seasonally thawed active layer above and the stable permafrost below. Although typically frozen and therefore part of the near-surface permafrost, the transition zone episodically thaws over a time period ranging from sub-decadal to multicentennial. From an analysis of 138 pedons from the Arctic Coastal Plain near Barrow, Alaska, we were able to delineate the upper boundary of the transition zone in 78% and the lower boundary in 70% of the pedons. The transition zone exhibits the effects of cryoturbation, contains abundant redistributed organic carbon, is enriched by ice in the forms of lenses, veins, and nets (reticulate vein ice) and has abundant soil moisture. The surface (upper boundary) of the transition zone is found at an average depth of 34 ± 7 cm below the ground surface and has an average thickness of 23 ± 8 cm. We observed no significant differences in the thickness of the transition zone or the depth of its boundaries in drained thaw-lake basins ranging in age from 300 to 5500 years BP, suggesting that the processes leading to the development of this zone occur rapidly in Arctic Alaska. Recognition of the transition zone has implications for understanding pedogenic processes in permafrost-affected soils and for determining the response of near-surface permafrost to climate warming.Key words: active layer, Alaska, arctic soils, frozen ground, permafrost, transition layer RÉSUMÉ. Dans le modèle conceptuel à trois composantes des sols arctiques, la zone de transition est reconnue comme une couche intermédiaire entre la couche active supérieure qui dégèle selon les saisons et le permafrost stable au-dessous. Bien qu'elle soit généralement gelée et que par conséquent, elle fasse partie du permafrost près de la surface, la zone de transition dégèle de manière épisodique sur une période allant de moins d'une décennie à plusieurs centaines d'années. D'après l'analyse de 138 pédons provenant de la plaine côtière de l'Arctique près de Barrow, en Alaska, on a pu délimiter la borne supérieure de la zone de transition dans 78 % des pédons et la borne inférieure dans 70 % d'entre eux. La zone de transition affiche les effets de la cryoturbation, puis elle contient du carbone organique distribué en abondance, elle est enrichie par la glace sous la forme de lentilles, de veines et de réseaux (glace de veine réticulée) et son sol renferme une humidité abondante. La surface (borne supérieure) de la zone de transition se trouve à une profondeur moyenne de 34 ± 7 cm sous la surface du sol et son épaisseur moyenne est de 23 ± 8 cm. Aucune différence considérable n'a été observée quant à l'épaisseur de la zone de transition ou à la profondeur de ses bornes dans les bassins de lacs de dégel allant de 300 à 5 500 ans BP, ce qui laisse croire que les processus ayant mené au développement de cette zone se produisent rapidement dans l'Alaska arctique. La reconnaissance de la zone de transitio...

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“…In comparison coarse material does not swell much during freezing due to its low moisture content. The outcome is differential frost heave and frost creep upon freezing (Vliet Lanoë 1991, Grab 1997. Surface needle ice helps to promote this process by growing under larger grains and effectively lifting up and displacing these clasts.…”

Section: Patterned Ground Landformsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The distribution and paleoclimate implications of periglacial landforms in eastern Australia

Slee¹

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It is widely recognised that during the Late Quaternary, glaciation was limited in Australia, especially away from Tasmania. This contrasts with the widely recognised occurrence of periglacial landforms in SE Australia, particularly in Australian Alps and Tasmania.However, very little research has been undertaken into these landforms. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the extent and timing of Late Quaternary periglacial conditions in south-eastern Australia and to understand the geomorphic processes and environments associated with these landforms. This thesis presents an updated understanding of the distribution, morphology and climatic significance of periglacial landforms in eastern Australia. The thesis is divided into two sections. The first section is focused on modern 'active' periglacial landforms found primarily in the mountainous areas of Tasmania and focuses on two studies of modern freeze-thaw processes in western Tasmania. At higher elevations (1000 m) notable freeze-thaw features are active at the present time including stone banked lobes on Mt Rufus. Freeze-thaw features were identified to only 150 m above sea-level near Queenstown. However, these low elevation freeze-thaw landforms are small scale features associated with short periods where shallow ground ice forms.The second section of the thesis focuses on relict periglacial landforms that display no evidence of modern activity and most likely relate to late Quaternary cold climate conditions. It primarily focuses on the block deposits of eastern Australia, their morphology, distribution and climatic significance. Block deposits and associated landslide deposits from northern New South Wales to Tasmania were mapped. Four sites were studied in more detail and dated using surface exposure dating (SED). They yielded ages ranging from early Holocene to OIS 5 which are internally consistent within sites but vary widely between sites. These data provide evidence for repeated phases of periglacial activity during the last glacial cycle. At Guyra, several phases of mass movement were recognised with large scale landslides associated with a much earlier warm and humid climate dominating the landscape. Freeze-thaw landforms of the late Quaternary are superimposed on these older forms. The scale of last glaciation cooling is indicated by evidence for a possible nivation hollow bounded by a pronival rampart located near the town of Guyra (29°30'S). From this site a cooling range of 8-11°C is inferred, but additionally, relatively moist conditions are required for the nivation feature to form.The concept of a relatively humid glaciation also emerges from the mapping of the freezethaw landforms on a regional basis. In particular the occurrence of block deposits and screes in northern New England in patterns matching the modern precipitation gradient indicates that freeze-thaw was preferentially concentrated in a zone parallel to the coast. It is inferred that this zone represented an area of intermediate moisture landward of the divide separa...

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Differential frost heave, load casting and convection: Converging mechanisms; a discussion of the origin of cryoturbations

Cited by 126 publications

References 34 publications

Water tracks in the High Arctic: a hydrological network dominated by rapid subsurface flow through patterned ground

Water tracks in the High Arctic: a hydrological network dominated by rapid subsurface flow through patterned ground

Characteristics and Significance of the Transition Zone in Drained Thaw-Lake Basins of the Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska

The distribution and paleoclimate implications of periglacial landforms in eastern Australia

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