thermokarst terrain
Link: http://w3id.org/permafrost/v/ipaglossary/t0371
Within: IPA Permafrost Glossary
Definition: The often irregular topography resulting from the melting of excess ground ice and subsequent thaw settlement (see Figure 22).
| Term |
thermokarst terrain
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modelé de thermokarst fr |
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| Comment |
Thermokarst terrain is so named because of its superficial resemblance to the karst topography typical of limestone regions. The melting of ground ice may be initiated by climatic change, destruction of an insulating vegetation cover by fire, animals or man, or by any other disturbance of the thermal regime of the ground, including the acceleration of the rate of thawing by moving water. Annual thawing of the active layer does not produce thermokarst terrain. Morphological features of thermokarst topography include depressions (see alas); lakes (see oriented lake; thermokarst lake); mounds (see thermokarst mound); and small, more or less equidimensional depressions or pits. Thermokarst landforms may be divided into active and inactive forms. Inactive thermokarst indicates that thermal equilibrium has been regained, whereas active thermokarst indicates continuing thermal disequilibrium. Except for thaw sinks there may be little underground drainage in thermokarst terrain.
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| dcterms:source |
https://doi.org/10.4224/20386561
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