Thaw depressions and thaw lakes – a review

Authors

  • Robert F. Black University of Wisconsin, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26485/BP/1969/19/4

Keywords:

thermokarst, permafrost, ground ice

Abstract

This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on thaw depressions and thaw lakes in North American permafrost regions. The formation of these features is a result of thermokarst processes, where the thawing of ground ice leads to a decrease in ground volume and the formation of surface depressions. Thaw depressions commonly evolve into lakes, which are abundant and widespread throughout the Arctic.

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Published

2025-12-17

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