Massive Ice Control on Permafrost Coast Erosion and Sensitivity

Lim, Michael, Whalen, Dustin, Martin, James, Mann, Paul, Hayes, Sam, Fraser, Paul, Berry, H. B. and Ouellette, D. (2020) Massive Ice Control on Permafrost Coast Erosion and Sensitivity. Geophysical Research Letters, 47 (17). e2020GL087917. ISSN 0094-8276

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gl087917

Abstract

High overall rates of permafrost cliff retreat, coupled with spatial variability, have been accompanied by increased uncertainty over future landscape dynamics. We map long‐term (>80 years) retreat of the shoreline and photogrammetrically analyze historic aerial imagery to quantify the processes at a permafrost coast site with massive ground ice. Retreat rates have been relatively constant, but topographic changes show that subsidence is a potentially critical but often ignored component of coastal sensitivity, exceeding landward recession by over three times during the last 24 years. We calibrate novel passive seismic surveys along clear and variable exposures of massive ground ice and then spatially map key subsurface layers. Combining decadal patterns of volumetric change with new ground ice variation maps enables past trends to be interpreted, future volumetric geomorphic behavior to be better constrained, and improves the assessment of permafrost coast sensitivity and the release of carbon‐bearing material.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: F800 Physical and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences
Department: Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Geography and Environmental Sciences
Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Mechanical and Construction Engineering
Depositing User: Elena Carlaw
Date Deposited: 21 Sep 2020 11:21
Last Modified: 31 Jul 2021 12:47
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/44213

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