2014
Title
Permafrost and periglacial research in Antarctica: New results and perspectives
Publication
Geomorphology, 255: 1-3
Abstract
In the last two years the research within the Antarctic Permafrost, Periglacial Environments and Soils (ANTPAS) Expert Group of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and Working Group of the International Permafrost Association (IPA) provided new results on the dynamics of periglacial environments both in Maritime and Continental Antarctica. In continental Antarctica despite the absence of air warming, in the last 15 years an active layer thickening and acceleration of permafrost degradation erosional phenomena were reported, these being mainly related to the increase of solar radiation. On the other hand, in Maritime Antarctica, with a dramatic air warming, permafrost degradation has been observed, but the role of snow cover on the ground energy balance and consequently on permafrost and active layer has been underlined. Moreover, many contributions on the knowledge on the characteristics of the Antarctic soils were carried out in several areas along a wide latitudinal range.
Authors
Mauro Guglielmin and Gonçalo Vieira
Title
Permafrost and periglacial research in Antarctica: New results and perspectives
Publication
Geomorphology, 255: 1-3
Abstract
In the last two years the research within the Antarctic Permafrost, Periglacial Environments and Soils (ANTPAS) Expert Group of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and Working Group of the International Permafrost Association (IPA) provided new results on the dynamics of periglacial environments both in Maritime and Continental Antarctica. In continental Antarctica despite the absence of air warming, in the last 15 years an active layer thickening and acceleration of permafrost degradation erosional phenomena were reported, these being mainly related to the increase of solar radiation. On the other hand, in Maritime Antarctica, with a dramatic air warming, permafrost degradation has been observed, but the role of snow cover on the ground energy balance and consequently on permafrost and active layer has been underlined. Moreover, many contributions on the knowledge on the characteristics of the Antarctic soils were carried out in several areas along a wide latitudinal range.
Authors
Mauro Guglielmin and Gonçalo Vieira
2012
Title
Advances in permafrost and periglacial research in Antarctica
Publication
Geomorphology, 155-156: 1-6
Abstract
Recently the research on permafrost, periglacial morphology and processes had a great stimulus especially from the International Polar Year. Permafrost areas of continental Antarctica with its extreme dry and cold environment can be considered an analog of extraterrestrial landscapes like those on Mars, but also preserve much paleoclimatic information of this crucial part of the global climatic system. On the other hand, maritime Antarctica is one of the areas of the world currently affected by the greatest air warming and provides a unique opportunity to understand the impacts of climate change on permafrost and its related ecosystems. Despite the significant recent progress, some gaps on permafrost distribution still remain as the network for permafrost and active layer monitoring needs further enlargement and better standardization. Ground ice, its age and stability over time need further investigation, as well as the role of living organisms on the weathering processes within the cryotic rocks, the landscape evolution of continental Antartica could be improved providing potential implications also for a better understanding and modeling of life and landscape evolution of other planets.
Author
Mauro Guglielmin
Title
Advances in permafrost and periglacial research in Antarctica
Publication
Geomorphology, 155-156: 1-6
Abstract
Recently the research on permafrost, periglacial morphology and processes had a great stimulus especially from the International Polar Year. Permafrost areas of continental Antarctica with its extreme dry and cold environment can be considered an analog of extraterrestrial landscapes like those on Mars, but also preserve much paleoclimatic information of this crucial part of the global climatic system. On the other hand, maritime Antarctica is one of the areas of the world currently affected by the greatest air warming and provides a unique opportunity to understand the impacts of climate change on permafrost and its related ecosystems. Despite the significant recent progress, some gaps on permafrost distribution still remain as the network for permafrost and active layer monitoring needs further enlargement and better standardization. Ground ice, its age and stability over time need further investigation, as well as the role of living organisms on the weathering processes within the cryotic rocks, the landscape evolution of continental Antartica could be improved providing potential implications also for a better understanding and modeling of life and landscape evolution of other planets.
Author
Mauro Guglielmin
2002
Title
Various contributions from multiple authors towards: Regional Reviews of Southern Hemisphere Permafrost and Periglacial Environments
Publication
South African Journal of Science, 98: 1-2 and 3-4
Abstract
Members of the IPA Southern Hemisphere Working Group (1998-2003) reviewed permafrost understanding, issues and current status for their respective regions. The resulting papers were presented at a special session during the XVth INQUA Congress, Durban, South Africa in 1999. Publication of the papers was accepted by the South African Journal of Science following international refereeing in the January/February and March/April 2002 issues (Volume 98, Number 1-2 & Volume 98, Number 3-4). The published reviews are available as a collated document or individually in PDF format:
Authors
Ahumada, A.A., Augustinus, P., Bockheim, J.G., Boelhouwers, J.C., Colhoun, E.A., Hall, K.J., Meiklejohn, K.I., Trombotto, D.
Title
Various contributions from multiple authors towards: Regional Reviews of Southern Hemisphere Permafrost and Periglacial Environments
Publication
South African Journal of Science, 98: 1-2 and 3-4
Abstract
Members of the IPA Southern Hemisphere Working Group (1998-2003) reviewed permafrost understanding, issues and current status for their respective regions. The resulting papers were presented at a special session during the XVth INQUA Congress, Durban, South Africa in 1999. Publication of the papers was accepted by the South African Journal of Science following international refereeing in the January/February and March/April 2002 issues (Volume 98, Number 1-2 & Volume 98, Number 3-4). The published reviews are available as a collated document or individually in PDF format:
- Introduction
- Southern Africa
- Tasmania
- New Zealand
- Maritime and sub-Antarctic Region
- Continental Antarctica
- Patagonia
- North-West Argentinian Andes
Authors
Ahumada, A.A., Augustinus, P., Bockheim, J.G., Boelhouwers, J.C., Colhoun, E.A., Hall, K.J., Meiklejohn, K.I., Trombotto, D.