Earth’s Cryosphere, 2011, Vol. XV, No. 2, p. 56-64

COASTAL PERMAFROST EVOLUTION OF WESTERN YAMAL IN CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

A.A. Vasiliev, I.D. Streletskaya*, R.S. Shirokov, G.E. Oblogov

Earth Cryosphere Institute, SB RAS, 625000, Tyumen, P/O box 1230, Russia, al.a.vasiliev@gmail.com
*Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Geography, 119992, Moscow, Leninskie Gory, Russia

This paper presents the results of the evolution features of permafrost studies in the coastal area of Western Yamal. The coastal area scheme is developed in context of heat transfer. Climate warming is accompanied by increased sea temperatures and a decrease in the thickness of the seasonal sea ice. Temperature of permafrost in continental area over the past 30 years has risen by 1.0–1.4 °C. The annual temperature of saline sediments in the permafrost degradation area is about the freezing point. The depth of layer zero annual amplitude is 3.0–4.0 m. Recent formation of the permafrost occurs at low marine laydas. The average annual temperature of sediments here is about –3.5 °C.

Key words: Coastal permafrost, climate, temperature of the sea bottom water, thermal regime of the permafrost.

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