DYNAMICS OF PERMAFROST IN THE COASTAL ZONE OF EASTERN-ASIAN SECTOR OF THE ARCTIC

Abstract

The study summarizes results on the cryogenic dynamics in the coastal zone. The paper shows that ongoing climate warming and shrinking of ice extent of the Arctic seas triggers both thermogenic and cryogenic processes at the same time. The first group includes thermal abrasion, thermal denudation, degradation of submarine permafrost, and the second one is the syncriogenesis of the new-formed coastal-marine sediments. The first group results in an increase of the retreat rate of coasts, the second results in the islands formation on banks and shallows where the domination of bottom thermal abrasion and deepening of the sea bottom has been taken place previously. Arguments for stamukhas and cryogenesis role in islands formation are presented.

Keywords

• coastal zone
• coast retreat
• degradation of submarine permafrost
• coastal- marine sedimentation
• formation of permafrost
• stamukhas