patterned ground
Link: http://w3id.org/permafrost/v/ipaglossary/t0234
Within: IPA Permafrost Glossary
Definition: A general term for any ground surface exhibiting a discernibly ordered, more or less symmetrical, morphological pattern of ground and, where present, vegetation (see Figure 16).
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patterned ground
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| Comment |
Some patterned ground features are not confined to permafrost regions but they are best developed in regions of present or past intensive frost action. A descriptive classification of patterned ground includes such features as nonsorted and sorted circles, nets, polygons, steps and stripes, and solifluction features. In permafrost regions, the most ubiquitous macro-form is the ice-wedge polygon, and a common micro-form is the nonsorted circle. The latter includes mud boils, mud hummocks, frost boils, stony earth circles, earth hummocks, turf hummocks, thufa and (not recommended) tundra hummocks. Nonsorted circles are not all of the same origin. Some, such as mud and earth hummocks and frost boils, involve cryoturbation activity and differential heave of frost-susceptible materials. Others, such as mud boils, involve hydraulic pressures and diapiric displacements of water- saturated sediments. The genesis of many types of patterned ground phenomena is not clearly understood. Patterned ground also occurs in peatland in the form of string fens and other peatland features (see Stanek, 1977 and Stanek and Worley, 1983).
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https://doi.org/10.4224/20386561
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