Distribution and Thawing of Permafrost in the Southern Part of the Discontinuous Permafrost Zone in Manitoba

• Published in: ARCTIC
• Main Author: Thie, J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Arctic Institute of North America 1974
• Subjects: Stellaria; Arctic; permafrost
• Online Access: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/arctic/article/view/65925

This study was carried out to evaluate the environmental factors which influence the distribution and collapse of perennially frozen peats in the southern part of the discontinuous permafrost zone in Manitoba. The changes in permafrost bodies were measured by means of aerial photography carried out over a period of 20 years. About 25 per cent of the once occurring permafrost is still present. Melting appears to have exceeded aggradation of permafrost since about 150 years B.P. Two types of collapse were noticed: peripheral collapse around very small permafrost bodies; and a central collapse for the larger bodies. The amount of collapse has varied from 0 to 30 metres horizontally in a 20 year period.