Influence of Topography and Disturbance on Water and Energy Flow in the Active Layer

Taylor Sullivan, University of Wyoming, tsulli12@uwyo.edu (Presenter)
Andrew Parsekian, University Of Wyoming, aparseki@uwyo.edu (Presenter)
Kevin M Schaefer, National Snow and Ice Data Center, kevin.schaefer@nsidc.org
Roger Michaelides, Stanford University, rmich@stanford.edu

We examine how relative elevation influences Active Layer Thickness and soil moisture on North Ridge—a slope near Toolik Lake, AK—by investigating the relationship of ALT and elevation above the bottom of a ravine. We measured ALT and soil moisture using ALT probes, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Electromagnetic Induction (EMI), and hand-held soil moisture probes to learn about ALT and soil moisture trends on hill slopes. These data, in conjunction with ABoVE airborne measurements and digital elevation data, will help inform and validate Remotely Sensed Active Layer Thickness techniques. This study addresses the science question: can a relationship between ALT and slope gradient improve ReSALT calculations? This study hypothesizes that a correlation between ALT and hill slope characteristics can be predicted in permafrost regimes, and this implemented correlation can improve ReSALT models. In the case of North Ridge, we observe a 35% decrease in soil moisture as elevation increases 93 meters above a wet ravine. We will use these and similar relationships to create topographically-based correction factors to remotely sensed retrievals of ALT.

Presentation: ASTM4_Poster_Sullivan_17_114.pdf (10176k)

Associated Project(s): 

• Schaefer-06

Poster Location ID: 17

Session Assigned: Permafrost and Hydrology