p r o d u c t s

 

(2) Permafrost distribution in the Alps

 

One of the main objectives of PermaNET was to provide a permafrost distribution map of the Alps. The map consists of two combined datasets. One dataset is the inventory of permafrost evidence and one dataset is a modelled map of the permafrost distribution.

 

The inventory shows the locations where the existence of permafrost was proven. The inventory was the basis for developing the methodology for the elaboration of the modelled permafrost map.

 

a) Inventory of permafrost evidence

The inventory is simple in structure and technical implementation and the number of parameters is small. This allows researchers, institutions, or monitoring services to register their existing data within the newly standardized scheme in a user-friendly manner. The inventory contains the following types of evidence: borehole temperature, ground surface temperature, rock fall scar, trench or construction site, surface movement, geophysical prospecting, other indirect evidence and rock glaciers.

 

The permafrost evidence map is visible here.

 

 

b) Modelled map of the permafrost distribution

The final permafrost map shows the colour-coded permafrost-index that is usually overlaid on a base map for reference. Glaciers, that by definition are not permafrost, are shown with an own signature. The map legend is always accompanied by an interpretation key that allows refining the estimate with local information about ground conditions. The map will soon be freely available as a GIS layer or online for globes such as Google Earth with a spatial resolution of approximately 30 m.