Three‐dimensional investigation of an open‐ and a closed‐system Pingo in northwestern Canada

The present study presents three‐dimensional investigations of a hydrostatic pingo in the Mackenzie Delta region and a hydraulic pingo in the Ogilvie Mountains and contributes to a better understanding about the internal structures of the two pingo types. A combined approach using quasi‐three‐dimens...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
Main Authors: Kunz, Julius, Kneisel, Christof, Kneisel, Christof; 1 University of Wuerzburg Institute of Geography and Geology Wuerzburg Germany
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2021
Subjects:
Ice
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2115
http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gldocs-11858/9887
Description
Summary:The present study presents three‐dimensional investigations of a hydrostatic pingo in the Mackenzie Delta region and a hydraulic pingo in the Ogilvie Mountains and contributes to a better understanding about the internal structures of the two pingo types. A combined approach using quasi‐three‐dimensional electrical resistivity tomography, ground‐penetrating radar and frost probing allowed a clear delineation of frozen and unfrozen areas in the subsurface. At the hydrostatic pingo a massive ice core as well as a surrounding talik could be detected, but the location of the ice core and the talik differs from previous published assumptions. In contrast to acknowledged theory, at our site the massive ice core is not located in the center of the pingo but at the western edge, whereas the eastern flank is underlain by a talik, which surrounds the massive ice core. At the hydraulic pingo, the expected internal structure could be confirmed and the pathway of upwelling water could also be detected. The combined approach of the applied methods represents the first known three‐dimensional geoelectrical investigation of pingos and provides new insights into the internal structure and architecture of the two different pingo types. The chosen approach allows further conclusions on the formation of these permafrost‐affected landforms. German Research Foundation (DFG) http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659