Journal
PERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL PROCESSES
Volume 32, Issue 1, Pages 59-75Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/ppp.2087
Keywords
geomorphology; periglacial landscapes; permafrost degradation; thermal erosion; valley distribution; Yedoma Ice Complex
Categories
Funding
- Christiane Nusslein-Volhard Foundation
- European Research Council [338335]
- German Academic Exchange Service DAAD P.R.I.M.E. [605728]
- Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft [PD-003, VH-NG-801]
- Polar Geospatial Center, NSF-OPP awards [1043681, 1542736, 1559691]
- Russian Foundation for Basic Research [18-05-70091, 18-45-140057]
- Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes
- Universitat Potsdam
- BMBF KoPf [03F0764B]
- RapidEye Science Archive (RESA)
- Directorate For Geosciences
- Office of Polar Programs (OPP) [1043681] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Directorate For Geosciences
- Office of Polar Programs (OPP) [1559691, 1542736] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Through inventory and assessment of thermo-erosional valleys in ice-rich coastal lowlands adjacent to the Siberian Laptev Sea, it was found that thermo-erosional valleys are significant but often overlooked landforms of permafrost degradation, impacting biogeochemical cycling, sediment transport, and hydrology in the region.
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.
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