Earth’s Cryosphere, 2011, Vol. XV, No. 1, p. 40-51

HOMOGENEOUS AND HETEROGENEOUS MASSIVE ICE IN PERMAFROST

Yu.K. Vasil’chuk

Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Leninskie Gory, Russia, vasilch@geol.msu.ru

An essential genetic variety of massive ice complexes in permafrost thicknesses is shown. A new classification of massive ice complexes is proposed. Two new categories are introduced into systematization of massive ice complexes: homogeneous and heterogeneous massive ice complexes. Homogeneous massive ice complexes are those whose genesis, structure and properties are similar in all studied parts of a complex. The structure and properties of heterogeneous massive ice complexes, change along the section and they consist of two and more homogeneous massive ice bodies or combinations of homogeneous massive ice bodies. A principal graphic model of heterogeneous massive ice complexes formation is proposed.

Key words: Massive ice complexes, heterogeneous, homogeneous.

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