Thermo‐erosional valleys in Siberian ice‐rich permafrost

Thermal erosion is a major mechanism of permafrost degradation, resulting in characteristic landforms. We inventory thermo‐erosional valleys in ice‐rich coastal lowlands adjacent to the Siberian Laptev Sea based on remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), and field investigations for a f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Permafrost and periglacial processes 2021-01, Vol.32 (1), p.59-75
Main Authors: Morgenstern, Anne, Overduin, Pier Paul, Günther, Frank, Stettner, Samuel, Ramage, Justine, Schirrmeister, Lutz, Grigoriev, Mikhail N., Grosse, Guido
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biogeochemical cycles
Biogeochemistry
Catchment area
Degradation
Erosion processes
Field investigations
Field tests
Geographic information systems
Geographical information systems
Geomorphology
Holocene
Hydrology
Information systems
Landforms
Lowlands
Neotectonics
periglacial landscapes
Permafrost
permafrost degradation
Regional analysis
Remote sensing
Sediment transport
Soil degradation
Spatial distribution
thermal erosion
Thermokarst
Tributaries
valley distribution
Valleys
Yedoma Ice Complex
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Summary:Thermal erosion is a major mechanism of permafrost degradation, resulting in characteristic landforms. We inventory thermo‐erosional valleys in ice‐rich coastal lowlands adjacent to the Siberian Laptev Sea based on remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), and field investigations for a first regional assessment of their spatial distribution and characteristics. Three study areas with similar geological (Yedoma Ice Complex) but diverse geomorphological conditions vary in valley areal extent, incision depth, and branching geometry. The most extensive valley networks are incised deeply (up to 35 m) into the broad inclined lowland around Mamontov Klyk. The flat, low‐lying plain forming the Buor Khaya Peninsula is more degraded by thermokarst and characterized by long valleys of lower depth with short tributaries. Small, isolated Yedoma Ice Complex remnants in the Lena River Delta predominantly exhibit shorter but deep valleys. Based on these hydrographical network and topography assessments, we discuss geomorphological and hydrological connections to erosion processes. Relative catchment size along with regional slope interact with other Holocene relief‐forming processes such as thermokarst and neotectonics. Our findings suggest that thermo‐erosional valleys are prominent, hitherto overlooked permafrost degradation landforms that add to impacts on biogeochemical cycling, sediment transport, and hydrology in the degrading Siberian Yedoma Ice Complex.
ISSN:1045-6740
1099-1530
DOI:10.1002/ppp.2087