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National Science Foundation Award #9122928

Influence of the Active Layer and Snow Cover on the Thermal Regime of Permafrost

 
Investigator(s): Thomas Osterkamp (PI)
Sponsor: University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus, AK 99709 9074747314
Start Date/Expiration Date 1992-06-01 to 1996-02-29 (amended 1994-11-10)
Awarded Amount to Date: $219,897
Abstract: Permafrost temperatures are an extremely sensitive indicator of climatic change. Changes too small to be detected by continuous measurements of the surface energy budget occur as clear and robust changes in permafrost temperature profiles. This award supports research to allow rational utilization of permafrost temperature data and to improve current interpretations of permafrost temperature profiles. These tasks require a better understanding of the influence of the active layer and snow cover on the thermal regime of permafrost. The research program consists of field and laboratory measurements, interpretation, and modeling the thermal response of permafrost to changes in climate. This research will be conducted at four established sites along the Haul Road between the Brooks Range and Prudhoe Bay. Measurements will include daily temperatures at eleven levels from the air 1/2m or more into the permafrost, annual permafrost temperatures to depths of 80m, in situ and laboratory measurements of thermal and other properties of the numerical model for predicting temperatures at all levels. This continuing research effort is necessary to develop an understanding of climatic change that has occurred and may be occurring in the permafrost areas of Alaska and the north polar region.
NSF Org: OPP - Office of Polar Programs
Award Number: 9122928
Award Instrument: Continuing grant
Program Manager: Patrick J. Webber
OPP Office of Polar Programs
O/D OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
NSF Program(s): ARCTIC NATURAL SCIENCES, ARCTIC SYSTEM SCIENCE PROGRAM, ARCTIC SYSTEM SCIENCE PROGRAM
Field Application(s): Geological Sciences, Polar Programs-Related
Program Reference Code(s): ARCTIC SYSTEM SCIENCE PROGRAM, 5219
EARTH SYSTEM HISTORY, 1304
ENVIRONMENT AND GLOBAL CHANGE, EGCH
UNASSIGNED, 0000
Program Element Code(s): 5280
ARCTIC SYSTEM SCIENCE PROGRAM, 5219
, 5219