Periglacial

Question 1

what is “peri-glacial”

Answer 1

spatial term for areas affected by a strong freeze-thaw process

Question 2

What is the difference between the permafrost layer and the active layer?

Answer 2

permafrost: always frozen (2+ years), air temperature does not effect this profile

active layer: freezes and thaws seasonally, melts a bit in the summer and then freezes again later. air temperature DOES affect this profile

Question 3

What is frost heave?

Answer 3

• frozen layers in the dirt with gap present, will see the ice form between layers
• will see deformation and strain of material above and below
• bumps in surface

Question 4

What are ice wedges?

Answer 4

• when thermal contraction of material occurs because of cold temperatures, and it cracks.
• the crack fills with water in warmer temps, freezes again in winter, and the crack widens