Implications of Frost Heave for Patterned Ground, Tibet Plateau, China

Abstract

Field measurements on two well-drained slopes on the Tibet Plateau indicate that active-layer frost heave ranges between 4.3 and 7.7 cm yr⁻¹ and the frost-heave strain is between 3.6 and 6.1%. These values are low relative to others documented in the literature. It is concluded that the moisture-poor nature of the Tibet Plateau produces an active layer without mid-portion desiccation (contraction). This may explain the general absence of frost-induced circles and other patterned-ground phenomena on the plateau.