Permafrost: A Review

Research Article| September 01, 1954 PERMAFROST: A REVIEW ROBERT F BLACK ROBERT F BLACK U. S. GEOL. SURVEY, C/O INST. GEOLOGIA, CIPRES 176, MEXICO D. F., MEXICO Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1954) 65 (9): 839–856. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1954)65839:PR2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 13 Oct 1953 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation ROBERT F BLACK; PERMAFROST: A REVIEW. GSA Bulletin 1954;; 65 (9): 839–856. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1954)65839:PR2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Permafrost is estimated to occur in areas totaling about 26 per cent of the land area of the earth. Permafrost is as much as 2000 feet thick in Siberia and 1300 feet thick in Alaska, where its minimum temperature is −12°C and −10°C respectively. As it is defined on the basis of temperature, its composition varies over wide limits. Ice is one of the most important components, and large masses commonly are in the form of ice wedges. Structures in ice wedges are generally smaller and more complex than those in glacial ice. Dimensional and optic-axis lineations and foliations of inclusions of air bubbles, organic matter, and clastic material occur in all wedges. Not all structures and orientations of ice crystals in ice wedges can be explained.Permafrost results when the net heat balance of the surface of the earth over a period of several years produces a temperature continuously below 0°C. Although the general thesis of the problem is relatively simple, it is extremely complex in detail. Complete freezing of bedrock for long periods of time has little geologic aftereffect, except through control of movement of ground water. Freezing of mantle completely eliminates ground-water movement, preserves organic remains indefinitely, reduces or prevents mass movements within the frozen material, and promotes frost action in the overlying active layer. Most emphasis has been given the engineering aspects of permafrost. The volume of literature pertaining directly or indirectly to permafrost is becoming so great that individual competence cannot cover the various fields represented. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.