Solifluction processes on permafrost and non-permafrost slopes: results of a large-scale laboratory simulation

• Published in: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Main Authors: Harris, C., Kem-Luetschg, M., Murton, J., Font, Marianne, Davies, M., E., Smith, F.
• Other Authors: School of Earth and Ocean Sciences Cardiff, Cardiff University, Department of Geography Brighton, University of Sussex, Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière (M2C), Université de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN), Normandie Université (NU)-Normandie Université (NU)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de Rouen Normandie (UNIROUEN), Normandie Université (NU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Faculty of Engineering, University of Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Dundee
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2008
• Subjects: solifluction • physical modelling • permafrost • seasonally frozen ground; [SDU.ENVI]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Continental interfaces; environment; Ice; permafrost; Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-00358737; https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.630

International audience We present results of full-scale physical modelling of solifluction in two thermally defined environments: (a) seasonal frost penetration but no permafrost, and (b) a seasonally thawed active layer above cold permafrost. Modelling was undertaken at the Laboratoire M2C, Université de Caen-Basse Normandie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France. Two geometrically similar slope models were constructed using natural frost-susceptible test soil. In Model 1 water was supplied via a basal sand layer during freezing. In Model 2 the basal sand layer contained refrigerated copper tubing that maintained a permafrost table. Soil freezing was from the top down in Model 1 (one-sided freezing) but from the top down and bottom up (two-sided freezing) in Model 2. Thawing occurred from the top down as a result of positive air temperatures. Ice segregation in Model 1 decreased with depth, but in Model 2, simulated rainfall led to summer frost heave associated with ice segregation at the permafrost table, and subsequent two-sided freezing increased basal ice contents further. Thaw consolidation in Model 1 decreased with depth, but in Model 2 was greatest in the ice-rich basal layer. Soil shear strain occurred during thaw consolidation and was accompanied by raised pore water pressures. Displacement profiles showed decreasing movement rates with depth in Model 1 (one-sided freezing) but plug-like displacements of the active layer over a shearing basal zone in Model 2 (two-sided active layer freezing). Volumetric transport rates were approximately 2.8 times higher for a given rate of surface movement in the permafrost model compared with the non-permafrost model. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.