Research article
31 May 2012
Research article | 31 May 2012
Thermal state of the active layer and permafrost along the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Railway from 2006 to 2010
Q. Wu1, T. Zhang2,3, and Y. Liu1
Q. Wu et al.
Q. Wu1, T. Zhang2,3, and Y. Liu1
- 1State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- 2MOE Key Laboratory of West China's Environment System, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- 3National Snow and Ice Data Center, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- 1State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- 2MOE Key Laboratory of West China's Environment System, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- 3National Snow and Ice Data Center, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Received: 31 May 2011 – Discussion started: 22 Sep 2011 – Revised: 26 Mar 2012 – Accepted: 26 Mar 2012 – Published: 31 May 2012
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 <−1.0 °C) are greater than changes for relatively warmer permafrost (MAGT >−1.0 °C). This is consistent with results observed in the Arctic and subarctic.
