ABSTRACT

This book provides a general survey of Geocryology, which is the study of frozen ground called permafrost. Frozen ground is the product of cold climates as well as a variety of environmental factors. Its major characteristic is the accumulation of large quantities of ice which may exceed 90% by volume. Soil water changing to ice results in ground heaving, while thawing of this ice produces ground subsidence often accompanied by soil flowage. Permafrost is very susceptible to changes in weather and climate as well as to changes in the microenvironment. Cold weather produces contraction of the ground, resulting in cracking of the soil as well as breakup of concrete, rock, etc. Thus permafrost regions have unique landforms and processes not found in warmer lands.

The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 provides an introduction to the characteristics of permafrost. Four chapters deal with its definition and characteristics, the unique processes operating there, the factors affecting it, and its general distribution. Part 2 consists of seven chapters describing the characteristic landforms unique to these areas and the processes involved in their formation. Part 3 discusses the special problems encountered by engineers in construction projects including settlements, roads and railways, the oil and gas industry, mining, and the agricultural and forest industries.

The three authors represent three countries and three language groups, and together have over 120 years of experience of working in permafrost areas throughout the world. The book contains over 300 illustrations and photographs, and includes an extensive bibliography in order to introduce the interested reader to the large current literature.

Finalist of the 2019 PROSE Awards.

part I|144 pages

Introduction and characteristics of permafrost

chapter I|39 pages

Definition and description

chapter 3|38 pages

Factors affecting permafrost distribution

chapter 4|22 pages

Permafrost distribution

part II|295 pages

Permafrost Landforms

chapter 6|33 pages

Massive ground ice in lowlands

chapter 7|54 pages

Permafrost mounds

chapter 10|29 pages

Cryogenic patterned ground

chapter 11|43 pages

Thermokarst and thermal erosion

part III|195 pages

Use of permafrost areas

chapter 12|19 pages

The mechanics of frozen soils

chapter 14|41 pages

Roads, railways and airfields

chapter 15|33 pages

Oil and gas industry

chapter |20 pages

Mining in permafrost areas

chapter 17|20 pages

Provision of utilities

chapter 18|19 pages

Agriculture and forestry