Permafrost: electrical properties of the active layer measured in situ

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Wong, J., Rossiter, J. R., Olhoeft, G. R., Strangway, D. W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1977
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Tuktoyaktuk; permafrost
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e77-060; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e77-060

The dielectric constant and apparent conductivity of the active layer on Involuted Hill near Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., were measured in situ for both summer and winter. Measurements were made using resonating antennas near 100 MHz. The apparent values for the dielectric constant were 26 to 64 in the summer, and about 7 in the winter; for the conductivity, values of 0.012 to 0.12 mhos m −1 (0.012–0.12 S m −1 in summer, and about 10 −4 mhos m −1 (10 −4 S m −1 ) in winter, were obtained. The low losses observed in winter indicate that EM sounding should be possible in the area when the active layer is frozen. It is concluded that the antenna method is a quick and inexpensive means of making in situ electrical measurements near 100 MHz.