Permafrost, Ground Ice, and Soils Database in Japan

Compiled by Norikazu Matsuoka (University of Tsukuba)

+ South Pole

Sør Rondane Mountains

Thiel Mountains

Ellesworth Mountains

Prince Olav Coast

Riiser-Larsen Mts.,Enderby Land

East Ongul Island(Syowa Station)

James Ross Island

Seymour Island

Periglacial Research Sitesby Japanese Scientists

Blue: Coastal sitesRed: Inland sites

+ South Pole

Sør Rondane　 Mountains

Thiel Mountains

Ellesworth Mountains

Prince Olav Coast

Riiser-Larsen Mts.,Enderby Land

East Ongul Island(Syowa Station)

James Ross Island

Seymour Island

Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition

(1956-)

Antarctic Walk Environmental Research Expedition (1991-1993)

Japan-ArgentinaJoint Team (1987-)

Periglacial Research Sitesby Japanese Scientists

+ South Pole

Ground Temperature

ALT 15 cmMAGT -20 to -22 ˚C

ALT 60 cmMAGT -10˚C

ALT >80 cmMAGT ~-10˚C

ALT 100- 120 cmMAGT -4 to -7 ˚C

ALT 65 cmMAGT -7˚C

ALT 8- 40 cmMAGT -17 ˚C

ALT 50- 130 cmMAGT -3 to -7˚C

ALT: Active Layer ThicknessMAGT: Mean Annual Ground Temperature

+ South Pole

Major permafrost features

Large sorted circles

Rock glaciers

Ice wedge polygons

Rock glaciers

+ South Pole

Frost heave: max. 20 mm(seasonal)

Frost heave: max. 10 mm(mainly diurnal)

Solifluction :no movement

Frost heave: <2 mm (diurnal)Frost creep: <1.5 cm/yr <17 cm deep•　Only at humid sites

SolifluctionRock glacier creep

Monitoring ofPeriglacial Processes

+ South Pole

Rock Weathering & Soils

Chemistry of weathered rocks and varnish

Soil: Profile, Granulometry,Mineralogy, SaltsRock: Chemistry of varnish,Weathering index, Salts

Contacts (Data Reporters):

• Antarctic Peninsula (Seymour & James Ross)Dr. T. Sone (Hokkaido University)

• Ellsworth Mountains & Polar PlateauDr. K. Yoshikawa (Univ. Alaska-Fairbanks)

• Enderby LandDr. H. Miura (National Institute of Polar Research)

• Prins Olav Coast (Japanese Main Base)Dr. T. Sawagaki (Hokkaido Univ.)

• Sør Rondane MountainsDr. N. Matsuoka (Univ. Tsukuba)