A Physically Based Analytical Model of Permafrost Active Layer Thawing Depth
Abstract
A physically based analytical model is formulated for simulating the thawing depth of permafrost active layer under changing surface boundary conditions at sub-daily scale. The conservation of energy for the thawing active layer leads to a nonlinear integral equation of thawing depth driven by time-varying ground heat flux. Soil temperature profile of the thawing layer is represented by an approximate analytical solution of heat conduction. Ice content profile was derived from the difference between pre- and post-freezing soil liquid water content. Ground heat flux as the energy supply of thawing is modeled using two non-gradient models from net radiation and/or surface temperature. The model was validated against field observations at Arctic forest and tundra sites. The simulated thawing depth and soil temperature are in good agreement with the field observations.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021AGUFM.B15A1407Z