Groundwater Flow Through Continuous Permafrost Along Geological Boundary Revealed by Electrical Resistivity Tomography

In continuous permafrost regions, pathways for transport of sub-permafrost groundwater to the surface sometimes perforate frozen ground and result in formation a pingo. Explanations offered locations such have so far included hydraulically conductive geological units faults. On Svalbard, several pingos locate at valley flanks where these controls are apparently lacking. Intrigued by this observation, we elucidated setting around pingo with electrical resistivity tomography. The inverted models showed considerable contrast between uphill valley-sides We conclude that reflects boundary low-permeable marine sediments consolidated strata. Groundwater presumably flows toward spring through glacially induced fractures strata immediately below sediments. Our finding suggests uplifted Arctic valleys deserve attention as possible discharge deep greenhouse gases surface.