Welcome to the US Permafrost Association.
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information. We encourage participation in our activities,
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» Book Publication: Geocryology:
Characteristics and Use of Frozen Ground and Permafrost Landforms
 Description:
This book provides a general survey of Geocryology, which
is the study of frozen ground called permafrost. Frozen ground
is the product of cold climates as well as a variety of environmental
factors. Its major characteristic is the accumulation of large
quantities of ice which may exceed 90% by volume. Soil water
changing to ice results in ground heaving, while thawing of
this ice produces ground subsidence often accompanied by soil
flowage. Permafrost is very susceptible to changes in weather
and climate as well as to changes in the microenvironment.
Cold weather produces contraction of the ground, resulting
in cracking of the soil as well as breakup of concrete, rock,
etc. Thus permafrost regions have unique landforms and processes
not found in warmer lands.
The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 provides an
introduction to the characteristics of permafrost. Four chapters
deal with its definition and characteristics, the unique processes
operating there, the factors affecting it, and its general
distribution. Part 2 consists of seven chapters describing
the characteristic landforms unique to these areas and the
processes involved in their formation. Part 3 discusses the
special problems encountered by engineers in construction
projects including settlements, roads and railways, the oil
and gas industry, mining, and the agricultural and forest
industries.
» Book Publication: The
Periglacial Environment, 4th Edition
 Description:
The Periglacial Environment, Fourth Edition, is an authoritative
overview of the world’s cold, non-glacial environments.
First published in 1976 and subsequently revised in 1996 and
2007, the text has been the international standard for nearly
40 years.
The Fourth Edition continues to be a personal interpretation
of the frost-induced conditions, geomorphic processes and
landforms that characterize periglacial environments. Part
One discusses the periglacial concept and describes the typical
climates and ecosystems that are involved. Part Two describes
the geocryology (permafrost science) associated with frozen
ground. Part Three outlines the weathering and geomorphic
processes associated with cold-climate conditions. Part Four
provides insight into the periglacial environments of the
Quaternary, especially the Late Pleistocene. Part Five describes
some of the problems associated with human occupancy in regions
that experience frozen ground and cold-climate conditions.
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