introduction to periglacial enviroments

what are periglacial enviroments?

• seasonal snow and ice cover characterised by intense frost normally associated with permafrost.
• permafrost is ground that remains on or below freezing for at least 2 years.
• the uppermost layer of the permafrost often thaws in the summer and freezes in the winter, many processes occur with in this layer called the active layer.
• these processes create distinctive landforms.

factors that determine the thickness of the active layer

• air temperature- latitude, continentality, levels of insolation
• period of snow cover or period of time without snow cover
• soil type- grainy soil is less dense and so has larger pore spaces, this means more air can get into the ground and melt the active layer more, clay soil is denser…