Using thermoterrace dimensions to calculate the coastal erosian rate

Thermoterraces in syngenetic ice complexes are widespread along the erosion dominated Yakutia Arctic coast. Thermoterraces progressively record quantitative information about their existence, which may be used to determine the mean shore retreat rate during the time they are present. Initial measurements of four thermoterraces on the south coast of the Dmitry Laptev Strait were carried out by the authors in 2002 and shore retreat rates were calculated. Comparison of erosion rates obtained using thermoterrace dimensions and geodetic survey results with those determined using aerial photographs showed that erosion rate values obtained in these two ways are approximately of the same order

Arctic Coastal Dynamics (ACD): an introduction

Background and rationale The coastal zone is the interface through which land-ocean exchanges in the Arctic are mediated and it is the site of most of the human activity that occurs at high latitudes. Arctic coastlines are highly variable and their dynamics are a function of environmental forcing (wind, waves, sea-level changes, sea-ice, etc.), geology, permafrost and its ground-ice content and coastline morphometry. Environmental forcing initiates coastal processes, such as the sediment transport by waves, currents and sea-ice and the degradation of coastal permafrost. The coastal response (erosion or accretion) results in land and habitat loss or gain and thus affects biological and human systems. Figure 1 schematically illustrates the major processes involved in Arctic coastal dynamics. Coastal processes in the Arctic are strongly controlled by Arctic-specific phenomena, i.e. the sea-ice cover and the existence of onshore and offshore permafrost. ... (Excerpt

Using thermoterrace dimensions to calculate the coastal erosion rate (in Russian)

Thermoterraces in syngenetic ice complexes are widespread along the erosion-dominated shores of the Yakutia Arctic coast. Thermoterraces progressively record quantitative information about their existence which may be used to determine the mean shore retreat rate during the time they are present. Initial measurements of four thermoterraces were carried out by the authors on the south coast of the Dmitry Laptev Strait in 2002, and shore retreat rates were calculated. Comparison of erosion rates obtained using thermoterrace dimensions and geodetic survey results with rates determined using aerial photographs showed that the erosion rate values obtained in these two ways are approximately of the same order