Earth’s Cryosphere, 2012, Vol. XVI, No. 3, p. 72-80

PERMAFROST FORMATION AND STRUCTURE AT THE SOUTH BORDER OF CRYOLITHOZONE, THE KOLA PENINSULA

F.A. Romanenko, E.V. Garankina

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Geography, 119991, Moscow, Leninskie gory, 1, Russia; faromanenko@mail.ru, evgarankina@gmail.com

Results of fieldworks in the Northwestern (area of Nikel), central (low mountains of Khibins, Lovozerskiye tundras and adjoined plains) and Northeastern (basin of river Kachkovka) parts of the Kola Peninsula have been examined. The lithologic content, the age, the cryogenic textures, the isotopic composition of frozen ground and the thermokarst relief have been analyzed. The permafrost has been dated. It has been demonstrated that the modern permafrost distribution at the Kola Peninsula has practically not changed since the middle of XX century, despite the significant climate warming.

Key words: Permafrost, hummocky relief, peat lands, microrelief, drilling, isotopic composition, thermokarst.