Permafrost Monitoring in High Mountain Areas Using a Coupled Geophysical and Meteorological Approach

Hauck, Christian; Mühll, Daniel Vonder; Hoelzle, Martin

doi:10.1002/0470858249.ch6

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Another possibility is the so-called 4-phase model (Hauck et al, 2005, which is based on two well-known geophysical mixing rules for electrical resistivity (Archie, 1942) and seismic P-wave velocity (Timur, 1968). Due to the presence of four phases within the frozen material (rock/soil matrix, unfrozen water, ice and air), the respective volumetric fractions of the phases in the subsurface cannot be quantified by using one method alone.…”

Section: Combined Geophysical Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Permafrost and climate in Europe: Monitoring and modelling thermal, geomorphological and geotechnical responses

Harris

Arenson

Christiansen³

et al. 2009

Earth-Science Reviews

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564

361

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We present a review of the changing state of European permafrost within a spatial zone that includes the continuous high latitude arctic permafrost of Svalbard and the discontinuous high altitude mountain permafrost of Iceland, Fennoscandia and the Alps. The paper focuses on methodological developments and data collection over the last decade or so, including research associated with the continent-scale network of instrumented permafrost boreholes established between 1998 and 2001 under the European Union PACE project. Data indicate recent warming trends, with greatest warming at higher latitudes. Equally important are the impacts of shorter-term extreme climatic events, most immediately reflected in changes in active layer thickness. A large number of complex variables, including altitude, topography, insolation and snow distribution, determine permafrost temperatures. The development of regionally calibrated empiricalstatistical models, and physically based process-oriented models, is described, and it is shown that, though more complex and data dependent, process-oriented approaches are better suited to estimating transient effects of climate change in complex mountain topography. Mapping and characterisation of permafrost depth and distribution requires integrated multiple geophysical approaches and recent advances are discussed. We report on recent research into ground ice formation, including ice segregation within bedrock and vein ice formation within ice wedge systems. The potential impacts of climate change on rock weathering, permafrost creep, landslides, rock falls, debris flows and slow mass movements are also discussed. Recent engineering responses to the potentially damaging effects of climate warming are outlined, and risk assessment strategies to minimise geological hazards are described. We conclude that forecasting changes in hazard occurrence, magnitude and frequency is likely to depend on process-based modelling, demanding improved understanding of geomorphological process-response systems and their impacts on human activity. We present a review of the changing state of European permafrost within a spatial zone that includes the continuous high latitude arctic permafrost of Svalbard and the discontinuous high altitude mountain permafrost of Iceland, Fennoscandia and the Alps. The paper focuses on methodological developments and data collection over the last decade or so, including research associated with the continent-scale network of instrumented permafrost boreholes established between 1998 and 2001 under the European Union PACE project. Data indicate recent warming trends, with greatest warming at higher latitudes. Equally important are the impacts of shorter-term extreme climatic events, most immediately reflected in changes in active layer thickness. A large number of complex variables, including altitude, topography, insolation and snow distribution, determine permafrost temperatures. The development of regionally calibrated empiricalstatistical models, and physically based ...

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Section: Combined Geophysical Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Permafrost and climate in Europe: Monitoring and modelling thermal, geomorphological and geotechnical responses

Harris

Arenson

Christiansen³

et al. 2009

Earth-Science Reviews

Self Cite

564

361

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“…In 1998 the first of three boreholes (14 m deep, followed by two 100 m deep boreholes in 2000) has been drilled on its northern flank at 2900 m asl. A meteorological station and a permanently installed electrical resistivity tomograph (ERT) profile to study subsurface freeze and thaw processes provide additional data since 1999 (HAUCK et al, 2005).…”

Section: Field Sitementioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of atmospheric forcing parameters on modelled mountain permafrost evolution

Engelhardt¹,

Hauck²,

Salzmann³

2010

metz

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To evaluate the sensitivity of mountain permafrost to atmospheric forcing, the dominant meteorological variables such as temperature, precipitation and timing and duration of snow cover have to be considered. Simulations with a one-dimensional coupled heat and mass transfer model (CoupModel) are used to investigate the interactions between the atmosphere and the ground focusing on ground temperature evolution and the temporal variability of the depth of the unfrozen top layer in summer (active layer depth). Idealised and observed atmospheric forcing data sets are used to determine the meteorological conditions, which show the largest impact on the permafrost regime. Borehole temperature and energy balance data from the permafrost station Schilthorn (2900 m asl, Berner Oberland) are used for verification. The results for the Schilthorn site show the largest impact due to summer temperatures changes during the snow free period and to a lesser extent winter precipitation which influence the duration of the snow cover. Similarly important is the timing of the first snow event in autumn which leads to a sufficiently large snow cover to isolate the ground from atmospheric forcing. Simulations with different data sets from Regional Climate Model (RCM) simulations derived from an ensemble of models and scenarios show that the differences in changes of active layer depth between different RCMs are on the same order than between different scenarios. ZusammenfassungUm die Empfindlichkeit von Gebirgspermafrost auf atmosphärischen Einfluss zu untersuchen, müssen die bestimmenden meteorologischen Größen wie Temperatur, Niederschlag, Zeitpunkt und Dauer der Schneebedeckung berücksichtigt werden. Simulationen mit einem eindimensionalen gekoppelten Wärme-und Massentransportmodell (CoupModel) werden verwendet, um die Wechselwirkung zwischen der Atmosphäre und dem Boden zu ermitteln, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf die Bodentemperaturentwicklung und die zeitlichen Schwankungen der ungefrorenen obersten Schicht im Sommer (Auftauschicht) gelegt wird. Idealisierte und beobachtete Daten von atmosphärischen Antriebsgrößen werden verwendet, um die meteorologische Bedingungen zu bestimmen, die den größten Einfluss auf den Permafrost aufweisen. Bohrlochtemperaturdaten und Energiebilanzdaten der Permafroststation Schilthorn (2900 mü. NHN, Berner Oberland) werden zu Kontrollzwecken verwendet. Die Ergebnisse für das Schilthorn zeigen die größte Einwirkung aufgrund von Anderungen der Sommertemperatur während der schneefreien Zeit und zu einem geringeren Ausmaß durch Winterniederschlag, welcher die Zeit der Schneebedeckung beeinflusst. Vonähnlicher Bedeutung ist der Zeitpunkt des ersten Schneefalls im Herbst, der zu einer ausreichend hohen Schneebedeckung führt, um den Boden von atmosphärischem Einfluss zu isolieren. Simulationen mit verschiedenen Zeitreihen regionaler Klimamodelle (RCM), abgeleitet aus einem Ensemble von Modellen und Szenarien, zeigen, dass die Unterschiede derÄnderungen der Auftauschicht aus den Ergebnissen der verschieden...

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“…However, the extreme conditions in such remote locations, as well as the relatively large surface areas under threat and the blocky nature of the ground, which complicates the application of the shock/electromagnetic waves, meaning that regular monitoring using geophysics Hauck et al 2005) may not be able to be sufficiently constrained to deliver an accurate enough indication of the unsaturated state of the ground. Nonetheless, work is ongoing to endeavour to link degree of saturation in frozen soils in terms of air, ice and water to various parameters obtained from geophysical testing methods and this geotechnicalgeophysical monitoring axis will certainly be an area of interest in the future.…”

Section: Alpine Permafrostmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring the Performance of Unsaturated Soil Slopes

Springman²,

Alonso

2008

Geotech Geol Eng

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Field monitoring is necessary for the geotechnical engineer to verify design assumptions. More importantly, the field data may also be assembled into a comprehensive case record that is available for use when checking validity of any analytical and numerical models. The ongoing process of back-analysis in unsaturated soil engineering can help to refine and improve our understanding, providing guidance for future designs, where the effects of soil suction and hydraulic hysteresis are still being explored. A range of recent field studies of the mechanisms of rainfall infiltration into slopes is presented. In addition, some physical simulations of unsaturated soil slopes subjected to rainfall, rising ground water table and changes of moisture in centrifuge model tests are reported.

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Permafrost Monitoring in High Mountain Areas Using a Coupled Geophysical and Meteorological Approach

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

Permafrost and climate in Europe: Monitoring and modelling thermal, geomorphological and geotechnical responses

Permafrost and climate in Europe: Monitoring and modelling thermal, geomorphological and geotechnical responses

Influence of atmospheric forcing parameters on modelled mountain permafrost evolution

Monitoring the Performance of Unsaturated Soil Slopes

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