Open fissures in a polygonal net on the Norwegian arctic coast
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26485/BP/1969/19/18Keywords:
polygonal ground, delta, frost crackingAbstract
This paper reports on the observation of open fissures within a pattern of tetragonally structured ground found at Karlebotn, on the inner Varangerfjord on the Norwegian Arctic Coast. The polygons are located on the distal part of a late-glacial delta, elevated 72-73 meters above sea level. The patterned ground, faintly visible in aerial photographs, manifests in the field as shallow furrows with denser vegetation and a thin peat layer.
The main focus is the occurrence of open fissures, which run consistently in the middle of the polygon furrows and have a rectilinear course. These fissures were observed during the summer, and their presence is attributed to frost cracking that occurs during the winter cold, which subsequently opens up during the spring/summer thaw. The author emphasizes that the study of these recently active, open fissures provides valuable insights into the ongoing processes of polygonal ground formation in Arctic environments.
References
Annersten, I., 1965 - Permafrostundersökningar i Padjelanta. Manuscript. Uppsala.
Brown, R. J. E., 1966 - Permafrost as an ecological factor in the Subarctic. Symp. on Ecology of Subarctic Regions, Helsinki 1966; Paper no. 5.
Dylik, J., 1966 - Problems of ice-wedge structures and frost-fissure polygons. Biuletyn Peryglacjalny, no. 15.
Hopkins, D. M., et. al., 1955 - Permafrost and ground water in Alaska. U. S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Papers, 264 F.
Leffingwell, E. de K., 1919 - The Canning river region, northern Alaska. U. S. Geol. Surv., Prof. Papers, 109.
Maack, A., 1967 - Fossil ice-wedge polygons in the Kunes and Båtsfjord areas. Polygonal ground and solifluction features. Lund Studies in Geography, Ser. A, No. 401.
Öhrngren, S., 1967 - Polygon fields at the Laksefjord, Finnmark. Polygonal ground and solifluction features. Lund Studies in Geography, Ser. A, No. 40. (in press)
Pataleiev, A. V., 1955 - Morozobojnyie trieshchiny v gruntakh (Frost fissures in grounds). Priroda; Moscow.
Péwé, T. L., 1962 - Ice-wegdes in permafrost, Lower Yukon river near Galena, Alaska. Biuletyn Peryglacjalny, no. 11.
Rapp, A., et al., 1962 - Iskilar i Padjelanta? Ymer.
Rapp, A. & Rudberg, S., 1964 - Studies on periglacial phenomena in Scandinavia 1960-1963. Biuletyn Peryglacjalny, no. 14.
Seppälä, M., 1966 - Recent ice-wedge polygons in eastern Enontekiö, Northernmost Finland. Publ. Inst. Geogr. Univ. Turkuensis, 42.
Svensson, H., 1962a - Note on a type of patterned ground on the Varanger peninsula. Norway. Geogr. Annaler, vol. 44.
Svensson, H., 1962b - Ice-wedges in fossil tundra polygons on the Varanger peninsula. Svensk Geogr. Årsbok.
Svensson, H., 1962c - Några iakttagelser från palsområden. Flygbildsanalys och fältstudier i nordnorska frostmarksområden. Norsk Geogr. Tidsskr., Bd. 18.
Svensson, H., 1963 - Tundra polygons. Photographic interpretation and field studies in North-Norwegian polygon areas. Norges Geol. Unders., no. 223.
Thorarinsson, S., 1964 - Additional notes on patterned ground in Iceland with a particular reference to ice-wedge polygons. Biuletyn Peryglacjalny, no. 14.
