Spatial assessment of permafrost characteristics and dynamics in alpine periglacial environments

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Knowledge of the internal structure and characteristics of the subsurface in permafrost-dominated periglacial environments is a key to assess ongoing and future impact of climate change on permafrost dynamics. So far no detailed spatial investigation of permafrost characteristics and subsurface internal structure has been performed on a larger scale with respect to the known small-scale heterogeneity, although the necessary tools such as two-dimensional geophysical methods are available and have been applied successfully in rough mountain terrain. Within the planned research project the sensitivity of alpine permafrost environments to climate change shall be investigated with a combined approach using different methodologies for the investigation of surface and subsurface characteristics. Two-dimensional geophysical methods are applied to perform a detailed geophysical mapping of the subsurface lithology, structure and ice content. Together with the results from geomorphological mapping and terrestrial laser scanning of the periglacial landforms, these data provide the base for the assessment of sediment budgets and ice content changes. Spatio-temporal variability of alpine permafrost dynamics is determined by direct measurements of temperature within representative shallow boreholes, near-surface temperature and geoelectrical monitoring. Based on these findings, scenarios can be developed concerning future permafrost dynamics and its impact on landscape evolution.