A thermal profile of coastal permafrost at Varandey, Russia

Abstract

Soil temperature variation is one of the governing factors to the stability of soil masses in regions affected by permafrost. Understanding of the thermal profile is critical for planning, designing, constructing and maintaining infrastructures which are much needed to sustain industry and/or community in these regions. Studies based on real data of permafrost soils are however rather limited due to the high cost and high risk associated with field investigation in these normally remote areas. This study will contribute to bridge this knowledge gap through an investigation into a typical thermal profile on Pesyakov Island in Varandey, Russia. First, the geological and geomorphological condition of the studied site are described. The paper then discusses the variation of soil temperature measurements at the selected location for study over a period of two years. Finally, a numerical model of the thermal profile calibrated with the measured data at the studied borehole is presented with discussion on important factors influencing the numerical predictions. The numerical models show capability to reproduce quite well the measured data.