Coastal cliff temperatures related to the potential for cryogenic weathering processes, western Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to measure the near surface ground temperatures and describe the main characteristics of the thermal regime of a sheltered arctic coastal cliff. Measurements were made near Ny-Alesund, western Spitsbergen, Svalbard (79°N, 12°E), in a transect across sediments on top of a coastal cliff, in a 8 m high coastal cliff and across the beach below the cliff. Temperatures were logged hourly from August 1987 to August 1988. A local snow cover of 1–4 m on the beach had a strong influence on surface heat exchange, and hence the dynamics of the ground thermal regime. Late winter temperatures in the cliff and backshore sediments were stable and ranged from -5°C to -9°C. At the first snow melt events in spring there was a large heat flux into the ground due to the release of latent heat from refreezing of meltwater. The interpretation of the temperature records leads to a discussion on some aspects of cryogenic weathering. The snow-melt period in spring and summer may be a period of rock fracturing, based on the model of segregation ice growth at subzero temperatures. Steep temperature gradients and available meltwater at the surface favor water migration in the heavily fractured dolomitic limestone even at the low hydraulic conductivities expected at below zero temperatures.