Influence of snow cover on soil freezing and thawing in the West Spitsbergen

• Published in: Ice and Snow
• Main Authors: A. B. Shmakin, N. I. Osokin, A. V. Sosnovsky, E. P. Zazovskaya, A. V. Borzenkova
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Russian
• Published: Nauka 2015
• Subjects: многолетняя мерзлота; промерзание и протаивание грунта; снежный покров; температурный режим грунта; шпицберген; Science; Q; Svalbard; Spitsbergen
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.15356/2076-6734-2013-4-52-59; https://doaj.org/article/91178759c7e6469b84d4ba6504b12375

This paper presents the results of experimental research of snow cover influence on ground freezing/thawing in Svalbard. Observations show that even before the snow disappearance ground thaws for dozens of centimeters that increases the thaw depth later in the season. Under the snow cover of 40 cm the thaw depth can reach 35–50 cm. The thawing can be caused by melt water with slightly positive temperature, percolating under the snow cover near the ground surface. The data on ground temperature regime during a year under various snow depths are given. Under a shallow snow cover the ground cools significantly, and this process causes the slowing down subsequent thawing.