Development and Initial Evaluation of a Daily DEM-Based Active Layer Heave and Subsidence Model

• Main Authors: Davor Gugolj, Brian J. Moorman, Matthew P. Tait
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: heave; permafrost; segregation ice; subsidence; thermal modeling; Mackenzie Delta; Ice
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.507.2027; http://people.ucalgary.ca/~moorman/GNICOP2008.pdf

Daily permafrost active layer heave and subsidence was simulated for a 1 km2 study area in the Mackenzie Delta, NWT for a period of one year. This study involved the development and application of a simplified methodology for assessing the dynamic nature of the active layer. It is based on the adaptation and integration of previously developed empirical and theoretical relationships related to the formation of segregated ice within frozen soil. The model requires a limited dataset including: general soil characteristics, a representation of the terrain in form of a digital elevation model, and regional weather records. The model was able to simulate the active layer thermal regime, yielding thaw depth values well within the range of measured observations. Likewise, daily changes in ground surface elevation across the study area due to formation or melt of segregated ice lenses agreed with direct measurements.