Submarine Permafrost Maps Of The Russian Arctic. A Review
https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2025-3970
Abstract
The article presents the results of digitizing the maps of submarine permafrost on the shelf of the Arctic seas of Russia. Submarine permafrost mapping relies heavily on expert knowledge because there is a lack of data regarding the structure and thickness of permafrost. Maps compiled by different authors vary significantly due to the use of different approaches, paleogeographic scenarios, ideas about the geological structure, evolution of shelf permafrost, sea level and climatic changes. The first maps were based on the analysis of shelf morphology and seawater temperature; they represent only the assumed boundaries of the submarine permafrost distribution. Later, the distribution of submarine permafrost was associated with neotectonic movements on the modern shelf. As the first drilling and seismoacoustic data were received, more detailed maps were compiled, and the discontinuous distribution of submarine permafrost was substantiated, especially in the Western Arctic. By now, a large amount of seismoacoustic and drilling data has been accumulated, which has made it possible to create new maps based on these data. In recent decades, methods of mathematical modeling the formation and evolution of submarine permafrost have been rapidly developed. Calculated maps of the distribution and depth of submarine permafrost top in the Russian Arctic have been compiled. For the first time, it has become possible to predict the rate of degradation of submarine permafrost under climate warming.
Supporting agencies: The research was carried out at the Earth Cryosphere Institute of the Tyumen Scientific Centre of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences as part of the state assignment from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (project № FWRZ-2021-0005).
About the Authors
Alexander V. Vasiliev
Earth Cryosphere Institute, Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Malygina St. 86, Tyumen, 625026
Gleb E. Oblogov
Earth Cryosphere Institute, Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Malygina St. 86, Tyumen, 625026
Nataliia G. Belova
Earth Cryosphere Institute, Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Malygina St. 86, Tyumen, 625026
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Review
For citations:
Vasiliev A.V., Oblogov G.E., Belova N.G. Submarine Permafrost Maps Of The Russian Arctic. A Review. GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY. 2025;18(3):107-117. https://doi.org/10.24057/2071-9388-2025-3970
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