Features and Mapping of Permafrost Distribution

• Main Authors: D. Battogtokh, Ya. Jambaljav, A. Dashtseren, N. Sharkhuu
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Key words; permafrost distribution; active layers; GIS; Remote Sensing; mapping Introduction; permafrost
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.477.3648; http://raise.suiri.tsukuba.ac.jp/IWSTCM2006/8Battogtokh.pdf

Mongolia situated in the southern boundary of Eurasian permafrost region in which permafrost distribution is mosaic-lake, being strongly affected not only by landscape conditions but also by global climate The occurrence of mountain permafrost depends on many parameters, which have direct and indirect relationships between each other, such as solar radiation, elevation, sloppiness, aspect, mean annual temperature on permafrost table. The modelling based on the relationship between the total incoming solar radiation and the mean annual temperature on permafrost table. The mean annual temperature on permafrost table depends on energy flux in an active layer and the ground parameters (ground moisture, heat capacity, and etc). Also, the energy flux in an active layer depends on a solar radiation and landscape conditions. The rate of solar radiation varies in mountainous area. The minus mean annual temperature on permafrost table is one of the criteria of permafrost occurrence. In valleys and depressions with same solar radiation rate, the permafrost occurrence depends on ground moisture. The permafrost distributes in an area with more moisture along the valley and in the bottom of depression. Based on the modelling results, we compiled the map of permafrost distribution in Ulaanbaatar area using GIS applications and Remote Sensing. As result of our research the permafrost in Ulaanbaatar area divides into 2 types (mountain permafrost /1/, permafrost distributed in wetland areas/2/)