Permafrost distribution and temperature in the Elkon Horst, Russia

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1226.2021.20027

Abstract

Abstract:

The Elkon Horst is a geological structure that consists of heterogeneous strata with highly variable geocryological and temperature conditions. Gaining accurate knowledge of permafrost distribution patterns within this structure is of both scientific and practical importance. In mountainous terrain, the ground thermal regime is controlled by both surface and subsurface conditions. Surface conditions include snow cover characteristics, the presence or absence of vegetation, vegetation density, etc.. In contrast, subsurface conditions involve rock lithology or petrography, density, quantity and depth of fissures, groundwater, etc.. This article examines ground thermal regimes in various geomorphological settings based on temperature measurement data from geotechnical boreholes. The occurrence and extent of permafrost were evaluated for the entire horst area using direct and indirect methods. The maximum permafrost thickness measured in the Elkon Horst is 330 m, and the estimated maximum is 450 m at higher elevations. Thermophysical properties were determined for the major rock types, and the geothermal heat flux was estimated for the study area. The thermal conductivities were found to vary from 1.47 to 4.20 W/(m·K), and the dry bulk densities to range between 2,236 kg/m³ and 3,235 kg/m³. The average geothermal heat flux was estimated to be 44 mW/m².

Key words: permafrost, ground temperature, geothermal heat flux, thermal conductivity, horst

Mikhail Zhelezniak,QingBai Wu,Anatolii Kirillin,Zhi Wen,Aleksandr Zhirkov,Vladimir Zhizhin. Permafrost distribution and temperature in the Elkon Horst, Russia[J].Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2021, 13(2): 107-122.

Figures/Tables 17

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Table 3

The range (numerator) and means (denominator) of thermophysical properties of igneous and metamorphic rocks in the Elkon Horst"

Rock type	γ_wl (kg/m³)	λ (W/(m·K))	с_γ (kJ/(m³·K))	а×(10^-6 m²/s)
Granite	$2,580 - 2,860 2,660 (53)$	$1.42 - 4.12 2.69 (57)$	$1,990 - 2,260 2,100 (59)$	$0.65 ÷ 1.59 1.27 (59)$
Gneiss	$2,580 - 2,880 2,750 (37)$	$1.55 - 3.31 2.20 (37)$	$2,030 - 2,260 2,170 (35)$	$0.73 - 1.55 1.03 (35)$
Crystal shale	$2,670 - 3,090 2,860 (41)$	$1.65 - 6.64 2.20 (41)$	$2,100 - 2,430 2,240 (43)$	$0.75 - 3.07 0.97 (43)$
Amphibolite	$2,630 - 3,460 3,100 (11)$	$1.98 - 4.20 2.92 (12)$	$2,070 - 2,570 2,400 (11)$	$0.88 - 1.71 1.20 (11)$
Quartzite	$2,480 - 2,840 2,710 (11)$	$2.11 - 7.71 2.98 (11)$	$1,950 - 2,240 2,136 (10)$	$0.96 - 3.70 1.43 (10)$
Milonite	$2,670 - 2,760 2,710 (2)$	$1.36 - 2.29 1.82 (2)$	$2,102 - 2,325 2,200 (3)$	$0.65 - 1.06 0.86 (3)$
Metasomatitis	$2,240 - 2,940 2,670 (8)$	$1.67 - 4.02 2.60 (8)$	$1,760 - 2,510 2,150 (9)$	$0.95 - 1.74 1.33 (9)$
Metabasites	2,810(1)	2.41(1)	2,205(1)	1.01(1)
Metadiiori	$2,730 - 3,230 2,900 (5)$	$1.75 - 2.28 1.98 (5)$	$2,150 - 2,540 2,260 (5)$	$0.80 - 1.04 0.89 (5)$
Plagioclase	$2,630 - 2,920 2,720 (11)$	$1.61 - 3.60 2.45 (11)$	$2,070 - 2,200 2,140 (11)$	$0.77 - 1.74 1.21 (11)$
Lamprophyre	$2,560 - 2,820 2,690 (8)$	$1.47 - 2.24 1.99 (8)$	$2,080 - 2,220 2,120 (7)$	$0.82 - 1.07 0.98 (7)$
Tectonic breccia with carbonate cement	$2,290 - 2,720 2,500 (7)$	$1.40 - 3.09 1.95 (7)$	$1,800 - 2,140 1,970 (7)$	$0.73 - 1.46 0.98 (7)$
Syenite porphyry	$2,580 - 2,650 2,610 (2)$	$1.75 - 2.07 1.91 (2)$	$2,030 - 2,090 2,060 (2)$	$0.86 - 0.99 0.92 (2)$
Quartz-microcline veins in plagioclase with amphibole-pyrrhotite inclusions	$2,710 - 3,050 2,880 (2)$	$1.96 - 2.43 2.19 (2)$	$2,140 - 2,400 2,270 (3)$	$0.82 - 1.14 0.98 (3)$
Blastoclasitis	2,700(1)	2.37(1)	2,130(1)	1.11(1)
Trachicienitis	2,480(1)	2.04(1)	1,950(1)	1.04(1)

Table 3

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No.	Borehole ID	Borehole depth (m)	Coordinates: Longitude; Latitude	Elevation (m a.s.l.)	Setting
1	KCC 13	210	58°37'N; 126°20'E	1,050	southeast-facing slope
2	KCC 11	250	58°39'N; 126°16'E	910	upper part of the east-facing slope
3	KCC 9	250	58°39'N; 126°16'E	912	northwest-facing slope
4	KCC 8	100	58°40'N; 126°15'E	607	foot of the southeast-facing slope
5	KCC 7	80	58°40'N; 126°15'E	613	foot of the southeast-facing slope
6	KCC 4	100	58°41'N; 126°10'E	1,004	watershed
7	KCC 2	150	58°40'N; 126°15'E	602	foot of the southeast-facing slope
8	11 E	13	58°38'N; 126°16'E	988	watershed
9	283	10	58°38'N; 126°20'E	896	southeast-facing slope
10	SG-7N	20	58°41'N; 126°8'E	580	valley
11	246	10	58°37'N; 126°20'E	1,066	upper part of the north-facing slope
12	299	10	58°38'N; 126°20'E	925	southeast-facing slope
13	12E	19	58°38'N; 126°16'E	1,034	northwest-facing slope
14	21E	50	58°39'N; 126°22'E	801	northwest-facing slope
15	24E	10	58°38'N; 126°23'E	843	northwest-facing slope
16	28E	260	58°38'N; 126°18'E	1,040	north-facing slope
17	34E	90	58°48'N; 126°13'E	454	northwest-facing slope
18	37E	150	58°39'N; 126°15'E	600	valley
19	2N	180	58°41'N; 126° 8'E	552	valley
20	KCC 5	70	58°40'N; 126°12'E	674	valley