Summary of ground temperature observations in the Kobuk Preserve Unit, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 2014-2016
Swanson DK. 2016. Summary of ground temperature observations in the Kobuk Preserve Unit, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 2014-2016. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/GAAR/NRDS—2016/1069. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Ground temperatures were recorded at five typical lowland permafrost locations along the proposed Ambler Mining District transportation corridor in the Kobuk Preserve Unit, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, for just under two years in 2014-2016. At 3 locations we monitored temperatures at the surface and 1.8 m depth; at two other locations we monitored temperatures at 7 depths between 0.3 and 4 m depth (0.6 m vertical sensor spacing). All sensors were in permafrost except the ones at the surface and a depth of 0.3 m. The measurements show that permafrost temperatures in this area are relatively warm, near -1 °C. During the mild winter of 2015-2016, permafrost temperatures at all observation depths remained above -1° C, and mean annual ground temperatures in the upper permafrost rose above -0.5° C. Permafrost that is close to the freezing point of water is vulnerable to thaw-subsidence due to warming associated with disturbance or climate change.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Swanson, David
- Date of Issue
- 2016
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ARCN , GAAR , NRSS
- Keywords
- active layer, boreal forest, climate, permafrost, soil temperature