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The thermal environment of blocky materials in the mountains of Central Asia
Author(s) -
Gorbunov Aldar P.,
Marchenko Sergei S.,
Seversky Eduard V.
Publication year - 2004
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.478
Subject(s) - permafrost , geology , geothermal gradient , debris , geomorphology , soil water , physical geography , range (aeronautics) , atmospheric sciences , hydrology (agriculture) , geochemistry , soil science , geotechnical engineering , paleontology , oceanography , materials science , composite material , geography
Geothermal investigations in the Transili Alatau Range (Northern Tien Shan) during 1974–87 reveal a significant difference between the thermal regime of coarse blocky materials and adjacent fine‐grained soils. Mean annual temperatures inside the coarse debris are 2.5–4.0°C cooler than mean annual air temperatures (MAATs). In such conditions, permafrost may develop within coarse debris even under a positive mean annual air temperature. In the Transili Alatau Range, the process of perennially freezing is possible at altitudes of 1800–1900 m ASL where the MAA T is about 4°C. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.