Permafrost. Some Morphoclimatic Aspects of Periglacial Features of Northern Scandinavia

Abstract

The present distribution of permafrost in the northern part of Fennoscandia is as yet very little known. The possible existence of perennial frozen ground may be estimated from climatic data, but meteorological stations are few and scattered. As, furthermore, large areas are marginal in respect of perennial frozen ground, local conditions of topography, material, and climate may influence the formation and preservation of permafrost. Therefore it would be of great value, if the existence of permafrost might be assessed directly from surface features, especially when detectable in aerial photographs. In the paper the periglacial form group of Scandinavia will be elucidated and its potential use as indicator of permafrost be discussed.

From engineering-, land survey- and planning aspects there is a growing demand for a more exact knowledge of the regional and local distribution of permafrost in northern Scandinavia. To get as many relevant data as possible in this field, a joint research program by permafrost scientists of the Norden countries would be of great value.