The thermal condition of the active layer in the permafrost at Hornsund, Spitsbergen

Abstract

Ground temperature variations have been analysed to the depth of 160 cm,with respect to meteorological elements and short−wave radiation balance. The database of the ground temperature covers a thirteen month−long period (May 1992 – June 1993), which in− cluded both the seasons of complete freezing of the ground and thaw. Special attention has been given to the development of perennial permafrost and its spatial distribution. In summer, the depth of thawing ground varied in different types of ground—at the Polish Polar Station, this was ca. 130 cm. The ground froze completely in the first week of October. Its thawing started in June. The snow cover restrained heat penetration in the ground, which hindered the ground thawing process. Cross−correlation shows a significant influence of the radiation bal− ance (K*) on the values of near−surface ground temperatures (r2 = 0.62 for summer).