Journal
PERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL PROCESSES
Volume 32, Issue 3, Pages 503-519Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/ppp.2106
Keywords
3‐ D electrical resistivity imaging; ground‐ penetrating radar; palsa development; soil matric potential
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Funding
- German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) [KN542/13-1]
- Projekt DEAL
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Our study used a multi-method geophysical approach to investigate the internal structure of palsas in Central Iceland, showing differences between initial and mature development stages. We also introduced measurements of the soil matric potential as a promising method to assess the current state of the subsurface, highlighting the importance of this approach in understanding environmental changes.
The natural cyclical development of palsas makes it difficult to use visible signs of decay as reference points for environmental change. Thus, to determine the actual development stage of a palsa, investigations of the internal structure are crucial. Our study presents 2-D and 3-D electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) and 2-D ground-penetrating radar (GPR) results, measurements of surface and subsurface temperatures, and of the soil matric potential from Orravatnsrustir Palsa Site in Central Iceland. By a joint interpretation of the results, we deduce the internal structure (i.e., thickness of thaw zone and permafrost, ice/water content) of five palsas of different size and shape. The results differentiate between initial and mature development stages and show that palsas of different development stages can exist in close proximity. While internal characteristics indicate undisturbed development of four palsas, one palsa shows indications of environmental change. Our study shows the value of the multimethod geophysical approach and introduces measurements of the soil matric potential as a promising method to assess the current state of the subsurface.
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