Abstract
Lilleøren, K.S. and Etzelmüller, B., 2011.Aregional inventory of rock glaciers and ice‐cored moraines in Norway. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 93, 175–191. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468‐0459.2011.00430.x
Abstract
Landforms in Norway indicating present and former permafrost have been compiled in order to discuss Holocene landform development patterns. In total 307 permafrost landforms have been mapped, consisting of rock glaciers and ice‐cored moraines. The landforms were classified as active/inactive (intact) or relict landforms, and by origin. In northern Norway, permafrost landforms exist down to sea level and the majority of the landforms are relict talus‐derived rock glaciers. In southern Norway, permafrost landforms are restricted to high elevations and the majority of the landforms are connected to glacial activity and classified as active. In the present paper, this contrasting pattern is interpreted to reflect that different processes leading to a permafrost landform also represent different ages and climatic regimes during their formation. The inventoried landforms reproduce the modelled permafrost distribution for Norway satisfactorily.
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo. Additional funding for field work and travel has been provided by the Norwegian Research Council, project no. 176033/S30 (Permafrost Observatory Project: A Contribution to the Thermal State of Permafrost in Norway and Svalbard) and project no. 185987/V30 (CRYOLINK – Permafrost and seasonal frost in southern Norway). Unpublished maps have kindly been provided by the Geological Survey of Norway (Kirsti Midttømme). Many of the landforms mapped in this study were first introduced to us by Leif Sørbel with his immense knowledge of Norwegian geomorphology. Asgeir Vagnildhaug, Gard Ove Sørvik and Martin Bergsbakk Holter have provided practical and intellectual help during field work. Ole Humlum's helpful comments have significantly improved the manuscript. Constructive comments and suggestions from the editors Stephan Gruber and Jan Boelhouwers, along with Ivar Berthling and one anonymous reviewer greatly improved the manuscript. We want to thank all mentioned individuals and institutions.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Karianne S. Lilleøren
Karianne S. Lilleøren, Department of Geosciences, P.O. Box 1047 Blindern, N‐0316 Oslo, Norway.
Email: [email protected]
Bernd Etzelmüller
Bernd Etzelmüller, Department of Geosciences, P.O. Box 1047 Blindern, N‐0316 Oslo, Norway.
Email: [email protected]