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Permafrost environment of the Daisetsu Mountains, Hokkaido, Japan
Author(s) -
Sone Toshio
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
permafrost and periglacial processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1099-1530
pISSN - 1045-6740
DOI - 10.1002/ppp.3430030311
Subject(s) - permafrost , geology , snow , frost (temperature) , thermokarst , altitude (triangle) , physical geography , geomorphology , alpine climate , frost heaving , climatology , oceanography , geography , ecology , geometry , mathematics , biology
The distribution of permafrost in the Daisetsu Mountains is discussed on the basis of freezing and thawing indices and the pattern of winter snow distribution. Mean annual air temperature at an altitude of 2000 m a.s.l. is estimated to be −3.6 °C in normal years. Alpine permafrost is distributed mainly on windward bare ground. The windward bare ground extends to summit areas, where most snow is removed from the ground surface by strong prevailing wind. The lower limit of permafrost is considered to be about 1650 m a.s.l. Some active periglacial processes, such as palsa formation and frost cracking, are explained by the present climate of the Daisetsu Mountains.