Thermal state of the active layer and permafrost along the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Railway from 2006 to 2010

Abstract

In this study, we investigated changes in active layer thickness (ALT) and permafrost temperatures at different depths using data from the permafrost monitoring network along the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Railway (QXR) since 2005. Among these sites, mean ALT is ~3.1 m, with a range of ~1.1 to 5.9 m. From 2006 through 2010, ALT has increased at a rate of ~6.3 cm a⁻¹. The mean rate of permafrost temperature rise at the depth of 6.0 m is ~0.02 °C a⁻¹, estimated by linear regression using 5 yr of data, and the mean rate of mean annual ground temperature (MAGT) rise at a depth of zero amplitude is ~0.012 °C a⁻¹. Changes for colder permafrost (MAGT <&minus;1.0 °C) are greater than changes for relatively warmer permafrost (MAGT >&minus;1.0 °C). This is consistent with results observed in the Arctic and subarctic.