Permafrost distribution and rock glaciers in the livigno area (Northern Italy)

Geophysical investigations were undertaken in the Livigno area (Sondrio, northern Italy) during 1991–92 at a number of sites where permafrost had been suggested through the application of other techniques, such as geomorphological studies, measurements of bottom temperature of winter snow cover (BTS...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
Main Authors: M. Guglielmin, A. Lozej, C. Tellini
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.3430050104
Description
Summary:Geophysical investigations were undertaken in the Livigno area (Sondrio, northern Italy) during 1991–92 at a number of sites where permafrost had been suggested through the application of other techniques, such as geomorphological studies, measurements of bottom temperature of winter snow cover (BTS), measurement of ground temperature in summertime (STG), and temperature of spring waters. Geoelectrical surveys confirm and characterize these permafrost occurrences. Furthermore, they indicate that, outside the rock glaciers, permafrost is also present in some gelifluction lobes. The permafrost bodies differ with regard to parameters such as resistivity, depth and thickness. Resistivity ranges from 18,000 to 560,000 ωm (ohm metres), depth varies between 8 and 21.1 m, and the active layer is 2 to 4.7 m thick in those bodies that can be considered active on the basis of morphological features. On reporte les résultats des sondages électrique exécutés pendant les années 1991–92 sur de nombreuses formes d'accumulation du milieu alpin (notamment glaciers rocheux et moraines) de l'Haute Valtellina (Sondrio). Ces formes furent précédemment investiguées avec plusieurs méthodologies pour mettre en evidence la présence du pergélisol (BTS, température minimal du terrain en été, température des eaux de source, etc.). Les sondages électriques ont confirmé la présence du pergélisol alpin dans le glaciers rocheux et dans les lobes de gélifluxion. Les caractéristiques des corps du pergélisol trouvés sont très variables et ils montrent des valeurs de résistivité électrique comprises entre 18,000–560,000 ωm, une profondeur comprise entre 8–21.2m et une épaisseur du mollisol comprise entre 2–4.7 m (dans les glaciers rocheux actifs).