Thawing Permafrost

Thawing of any soil, subsoil, or other surficial deposit, or even bedrock, occurring in the arctic, subarctic, and alpine regions at variable depth beneath the Earth's surface in which a temperature below freezing has existed continuously for a long time (from two years to tens of thousands of years) [Permafrost]. This definition is based exclusively on temperature, and disregards the texture, degree of compaction, water content, and lithologic character of the material. The thickness of permafrost ranges from over 1000 m in the north to 30 cm in the south; it underlies about one fifth of the world's land area. Syn: pergelisol, perennially frozen ground. Neuendorf, K.K.E., Mehl, J.P., Jr., and Jackson, J.A., eds., 2011, Glossary of Geology: Alexandria, Virginia, American Geological Institute, 799 p.

Below is a list of publications related to Thawing Permafrost. Select a publication number to access more detailed information and their respective files available for download.

IC 96

Larsen, M.C., Nicolazzo, J.A., and Athey, J.E., 2023, Landslide hazards in Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 96, 2 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/31100

PR 124

Reger, R.D., Hubbard, T.D., and Koehler, R.D., 2021, Surficial geology and geohazards in the Alaska Highway corridor, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Professional Report 124, 149 p., 18 sheets, scale 1:63,360. https://doi.org/10.14509/29701

RI 2019-8

Koehler, R.D., Reger, D.R., Spangler, E.R., and Hubbard, T.D., 2019, Assessment of geomorphology and geologic hazards in the Parks Highway-Minto Flats-Dalton Highway infrastructure corridor: Cook Inlet to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2019-8, 82 p., 4 sheets. https://doi.org/10.14509/30100

IC 65

Stevens, D.S.P., Wolken, G.J., Hubbard, T.D., and Hendricks, K.A., 2018, Landslides in Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular 65, 2 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29849

RI 2017-7

Stewart, A.K., Heinrich, C.E., and Hubbard, T.D., 2017, Dendrogeomorphic evidence of frequent mass movement using reaction wood in black spruce: Alaska Highway milepost 1267, Northway Junction, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2017-7, 18 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29734

RI 2017-5

DeRaps, M.R., Kinsman, N.E.M., Stevens, D.S.P., and Overbeck, J.R., 2017, Surficial geologic map of the Shaktoolik area, Norton Bay Quadrangle, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2017-5, 1 sheet, scale 1:50,000. https://doi.org/10.14509/29723

PIR 2017-1

Hubbard, T.D., 2017, Slope instability drilling program, Tonsina Hill, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2017-1, 36 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29710

PIR 2002-3

Stevens, D.S.P., 2014, Engineering-geologic map of the Dalton Highway from Galbraith Lake to Slope Mountain, southern Arctic Foothills, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2002-3, 1 sheet, scale 1:63,360. https://doi.org/10.14509/25486

Daanen, R.P. and others, 2013

Daanen, R.P., Darrow, M.M., and Hubbard, T.D., 2013, Frozen debris lobe stability, a function of thermal and hydrological processes (poster): American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California, December 13, 2013: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/26886

RI 2013-2

Reger, R.D., and Burns, P.A.C., 2013, Surficial-geologic map of the Livengood area, central Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2013-2, 1 sheet, scale 1:50,000. https://doi.org/10.14509/25179

PIR 2012-1B

Hubbard, T.D., Reger, R.D., and Gallagher, P.E., 2013, Engineering - geologic map of the Alaska Highway corridor, Tetlin Junction to Canada border, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2012-1B, 2 sheets, scale 1:63,360. https://doi.org/10.14509/24624

PIR 2002-1D

Stevens, D.S.P., 2012, Engineering-geologic map of the Eagle A-1 Quadrangle, Fortymile mining district, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2002-1D, 1 sheet, scale 1:63,360. https://doi.org/10.14509/24544

C 1086

Kvenvolden, K.A., and Collett, T.S., 1993, Permafrost and gas hydrates as possible sources of atmospheric methane at high latitudes, in Kelmelis, J.A., and Snow, K.M., eds., Proceedings of the U.S. Geological Survey global change research forum, Herndon, Virginia, March 18-20, 1991: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1086, p. 92-93.

OF 88-2

Skudrzyk, F.J., 1988, Stability of openings in alluvial permafrost: University of Alaska Mineral Industry Research Laboratory Open File 88-2, 42 p.

C 911

Ferrians, O.J., Jr., 1983, Permafrost and related engineering problems on the North Slope and Beaufort Shelf, Alaska, in U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey Polar research symposium; abstracts with program: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 911, p. 38-39.

AOF 125

Riehle, J.R., Emmel, K.S., and Bolm, J.G., 1981, Reconnaissance report on surficial geology of the coastal area from Tolstoi Point to Cape Nome, Norton Sound, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Alaska Open-File Report 125, 27 p., 3 sheets, scale 1:63,360. https://doi.org/10.14509/42

P 1068

Scott, K.M., 1978, Effects of permafrost on stream channel behavior in Arctic Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1068, 19 p.

I 829-E

Pewe, T.L., and Bell, J.W., 1976, Map showing foundation conditions in the Fairbanks D-2 SW Quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 829-E, 2 sheets, scale 1:24,000.

MF 669-A

Pewe, T.L., and Bell, J.W., 1975, Map showing distribution of permafrost in the Fairbanks D-2 SE Quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 669-A, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000.

MF 670-A

Pewe, T.L., and Bell, J.W., 1975, Map showing distribution of permafrost in the Fairbanks D-2 NE Quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 670-A, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000.

MF 671-A

Pewe, T.L., and Bell, J.W., 1975, Map showing distribution of permafrost in the Fairbanks D-1 SW Quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 671-A, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000.

MF 668-A

Pewe, T.L., and Bell, J.W., 1975, Map showing distribution of permafrost in the Fairbanks D-2 NW Quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 668-A, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000.

I 829-B

Pewe, T.L., and Bell, J.W., 1974, Map showing distribution of permafrost in the Fairbanks D-2 SW Quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map 829-B, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000.

I 445

Ferrians, O.J., Jr., 1965, Permafrost map of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map 445, 1 sheet, scale 1:2,500,000.

P 400-B

Greene, G.W., Lachenbruch, A.H., and Brewer, M.C., 1960, Some thermal effects of a roadway on permafrost, in U.S. Geological Survey, Geological survey research 1960, Short papers in the geological sciences: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 400-B, p. B141-B144.

B 989-F

Pewe, T.L., 1954, Effect of permafrost on cultivated fields, Fairbanks area, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 989-F, p. 315-351, 1 sheet.

C 42

Pewe, T.L., 1949, Preliminary report of permafrost investigations in the Dunbar area, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 42, 3 p.