Cryoturbation

Kryoturbation ( kryos (Greek ) = Frost, turbare (lat. ) = swirl around ) is the mixing of the shallow subsurface by freezing and thawing. Which is a phenomenon of Kryoturbation Periglazialgebiete, that is, the process is substantially dependent on the presence of permafrost.

The Kryoturbation requires a certain degree of water saturation and thaw and freeze cycles. The summer active layer shows is referred to in the art as active layer and provides the scope of the Kryoturbation represents the thawing depth is usually 50 to 70 cm.

Process flow

Due to the permafrost in the ground seepage of water from the summer thaw is severely limited or impossible. This results in a high water saturation in the active layer. The refreezing of the winter thaw out from top to bottom. This creates a tamper head arises in the region between the permafrost in the ground and the refrozen layer of topsoil. Due to the water saturation of the substrate, squeezing the muddy fine soil material through gaps and cracks is made possible to the surface. The muddy material usually then flows from patty- like on the surface. The multiple repetition of this process over many thawing and freezing cycles leads to a mixing of the entire thaw (active layer).

Kryoturbation further calls processes such as sagging in Auftauböden and the frost heave forth. This results, for example, frost -patterned ground and pocket floors or surface shapes as Palsen.

Follow

Kryoturbation leads u.U. damage to artifacts. This caused damage to the edges are called Kryoretusche.