Identifying subsurface processes of patterned ground and coarse-grained sediment in the high Arctic, RIS-ID 11434

My PhD project focuses on periglacial creep and periglacial erosion in cold regions of the world. Two pits in blockfields on the Norwegian mainland have so far been analysed regarding stratigraphy, sedimentology, grain morphology and mineralogy. For this Arctic fieldwork project the analysis of two pits in blockfields and coarse-grained material in a High-Arctic setting is planned. This is needed to capture a possible signal connected to a climatic gradient. The blockfields and sorted forms found on Svalbard have significant lower surface and subsurface temperatures, thus simulating conditions present on mainland Norway about 8000 to 9000 years ago. Also, the different time points of deglaciation for Southern Norway and Svalbard will contribute to estimations on the time frame these forms take to develop. Particularly the site on Kvadehuken is of special value, as it presents two time points with known dates, namely the emerging out of the sea (start of sorted circle development) when the beach ridge got lifted and the planation of the airfield in the 1960s (destruction of sorted surface layer).