Distribution and characteristics of Pleistocene ground thermal contraction polygons in Europe from satellite images

IF 3 3区地球科学 Q2 GEOGRAPHY, PHYSICAL

Permafrost and Periglacial Processes Pub Date : 2022-01-18 DOI:10.1002/ppp.2137

P. Bertran

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引用次数: 2

Abstract

The study of Pleistocene polygons in Europe carried out using the collection of satellite images available in Google Earth™ provides new data on the distribution of ground cracking by thermal contraction during glacial periods and sheds light on some factors controlling their formation. The distribution map shows that thermal contraction cracking affected terrain between latitude 43.5°N and the southern limit of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet at 15 ka, with a concentration of polygons north of latitude 51°N. A clear asymmetry exists in relation to longitude, with a greater southward extension of polygons in France (43.5°N) than in central Europe (47°N). Analysis of the characteristics of polygons at the European scale reveals an association with lithology, latitude, and the age of the sediments in which they formed. The morphological evolution over time reconstructed from observations of polygons of contrasting ages indicates that a stable mature phase, characterized by small (mean size 15 m), regular polygons with numerous Y‐junctions, is reached after ca. 4 ka of thermal contraction cracking activity.

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欧洲更新世地面热收缩多边形的卫星图像分布与特征

利用谷歌Earth™提供的卫星图像收集对欧洲更新世多边形进行的研究提供了冰期热收缩引起的地面裂缝分布的新数据，并阐明了控制其形成的一些因素。分布图显示，在纬度43.5°N至芬诺斯坎德冰盖南缘15 ka时，热收缩裂缝影响地形，多边形集中在纬度51°N以北。在经度上存在明显的不对称，法国(43.5°N)的多边形向南延伸比中欧(47°N)更大。在欧洲尺度上对多边形特征的分析揭示了与它们形成的岩性、纬度和沉积物年龄的联系。通过对不同年龄多边形的观测重建的形态演化表明，在大约4 ka的热收缩开裂活动后，形成了一个稳定的成熟阶段，其特征是小(平均尺寸为15 m)，规则多边形具有许多Y结。

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来源期刊

Permafrost and Periglacial Processes 地学-地质学

CiteScore

9.70

自引率

8.00%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Permafrost and Periglacial Processes is an international journal dedicated to the rapid publication of scientific and technical papers concerned with earth surface cryogenic processes, landforms and sediments present in a variety of (Sub) Arctic, Antarctic and High Mountain environments. It provides an efficient vehicle of communication amongst those with an interest in the cold, non-glacial geosciences. The focus is on (1) original research based on geomorphological, hydrological, sedimentological, geotechnical and engineering aspects of these areas and (2) original research carried out upon relict features where the objective has been to reconstruct the nature of the processes and/or palaeoenvironments which gave rise to these features, as opposed to purely stratigraphical considerations. The journal also publishes short communications, reviews, discussions and book reviews. The high scientific standard, interdisciplinary character and worldwide representation of PPP are maintained by regional editorial support and a rigorous refereeing system.