Earth’s Cryosphere, 2012, Vol. XVI, No. 3, p. 81-86

FROST MOUNDS IN DIFFERENT LANDSCAPES OF THE NADYM RIVER BASIN

N.M. Berdnikov

Earth Cryosphere Institute, SB RAS, 625000, Tyumen, P/O box 1230, Russia; nikolaj-berdnikov@yandex.ru

The morphology of frost mounds and their cryogenic structure have been studied in northern taiga of West Siberia by means of drilling of boreholes to the depth of 10 m and surface levellings. Significant distinctions in morphological and cryolithological features of mounds in different landscapes have been revealed. Distinctions in moisture of mound grounds in III fluvial-lacustrine plain and in the rear part of the Kheigiyakha river floodplain have been established. A diameter to height relation has been calculated for frost mounds. The influence of moistening degree and structure of natural-territorial complex upon the moisture of frozen ground and mounds convexity has been demonstrated. Features of occurrence of contemporary cryogenic heave processes and their geomorphological effect have been examined.

Key words: Frost mound, thermoremnant, landscape, peatlands, cryogenic structure.

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