A solifluction meter for permafrost sites

• Published in: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Main Author: Lewkowicz, Antoni G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1992
• Subjects: Ellesmere Island; Fosheim Peninsula; permafrost; Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ppp.3430030103; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fppp.3430030103; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ppp.3430030103

Abstract A solifluction meter that measures soil movements at eight levels in the active layer is described. Anchored in permafrost, the meter transforms mechanical movement of wooden blocks attached to flexible racks into changes in the electrical resistance of potentiometers. Solifluction can be monitored continuously with a data‐logger or manually at intervals when visiting field sites. Preliminary results from meters installed on the Fosheim Peninsula, Ellesmere Island, illustrate frost creep, with heave continuing at ground temperatures between −25°C and −30°C, and summer movements of the active layer in response to thaw consolidation and precipitation.