Number 10, December 1991 - International Permafrost Association

Number 10The News Bulletin of the International Permafrost Association

International Permafrost AssociationThe International Permafrost Association was founded in 1983 and has as its objectives fostering the disseminationof knowledge concerning permafrost and promoting cooperation among persons and national or international organizationsengaged in scientific investigations and engineering work on permafrost. Membership is through adheringnational organizations. IPA is governed by a Council consisting of representatives from 18 countries having interestsin some aspects of theoretical, basic and applied frozen ground research (includes permafrost, seasonal frost, artificialfreezing and periglacial phenomena). Working Groups organize and coordinate research activities. IPA became anAffiliated Organization of the International Union of Geological Sciences in July 1989. The Association's primaryresponsibility is the convening of the international permafrost conferences. The first conference was held in the U.S.in 1963; the second in Yakutsk, Siberia, 1973; the third in Edmonton, Canada, 1978; the fourth in Fairbanks, Alaska,1983; and the fifth in Trondheim, Norway, 1988. The sixth conference is planned for China in 1993. Field excursionsare an integral part of each Conference, and are organized by the host country.Off~cee of the International Permafrost AssociationPresidentDr. T.L. PCwCDepartment of GeologyArizona State UniversityTempe, AZ 85287- 1404USATel: (602) 965-2883Telex: 156-1085 ASA UTFax: (602) 965-8 102Vice PresidentDr. V.P. MelnikovScientific Council on Earth CryologyUSSR Academy of SciencesFersman Street, 1 1173 12 MoscowUSSRTel: (095) 124 54 22Telex: 41 1 700(2 18 1) PermafrostFax: 292 65 1 l(2 18 1) PermafrostVice-PresidentProfessor Cheng GuodongLanzhou Institute of Glaciologyand GeocryologyAcademia SinicaLanzhouChinaTel: 26726-385Telex: 72008 IGCAS CNFax: 86-93 1-485241Adhering Member CountriesSecretary GeneralDr. J. Ross MackayDepartment of Geography#2 17 1984 West MallUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC V6T 122CanadaTel: (604) 822-2257 or 2663Fax: (604) 822-6150ArgentinaBelgiumCanadaChina, People's RepublicDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyItalyJapanNetherlandsNorwayPolandSwedenSwitzerlandUnited KingdomUSAUSSRCover Photograph:Northeastern slope of Pi; AIbono (3100 m a.s.1.) from Piz Noir (upper Engodin. Swiss Alps): o I-km-long rock glacier is creeping down to 2300m o.s.1. in the Volley "Suvretto do S. Murezzan. " Its front has crossed the river Ova do Suvretto and its orogrophic right lateral slope wos affectedby recent debrisjlows. The image illustrates the neighborhood and interrelotion of three most typical phenomena in Alpine permafrost areas:debris cones, permfrost creep and debrisjlows. Photograph token by W. Hoeberli, 6 September 1990.

FROZEN GROUNDThe News Bulletin of theInternational Permafrost AssociationNumber 10 December 1991President's Column 2Summary of IPA Council Meeting 3IPA Standing Committees and Working Groups 5Finance Editorial Terminology Mountain Permafrost Permafrost Data and InformationPeriglacial EnvironmentsNews from Member CountriesArgentina Canada China Switzerland U.S.A. U.S.S.R.Miscellaneous 1622nd Annual Geomorphology Symposium ISGF 91 Commission on Global Continental PaleohydrologySouthern Africa Frost in Geotechnical EngineeringJournals and Books 18Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology Permafrost and Periglacial ProcessesEngineering Geology of the Earth GuidebooksCalendar of Recent and Forthcoming Meetings 21IPA Nationai Contact Addresses 23Slxth Conference has extended AbstractSubmission Deadline to February 15,1992(see page 7 for details)Frozen Ground, the News Bulletin of the International Permafrost Association (IPA), is published semi-annually. TheIPA is a non-governmental association of national organizations representing 18 countries. The success of the bulletinis entirely dependent upon the willingness of IPA participants to supply information for publication. Copy date forissue No. 11 is the end of April 1992. Please ensure that working group and member country reports are submittedin good time for publication. News items for inclusion in the Miscellaneous section are also very welcome from anyIPA participant, as are interesting photographs for the cover (please furnish 8"xlO" black and white glossy prints).For copies of Frozen Ground and submission of news items or photos please contact the appropriate individual listedon page 23 or Chairman, IPA Editorial Committee, P.O. Box 9200, Arlington, Virginia 22219-0200, U.S.A.Issue No. 10 of Frozen Ground was compiled by Jerry Brown. Production is courtesy of the Cold Regions Researchand Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S.A.Frozen Ground 1

PRESIDENT'S COLUMNTwo meetings of the P A Executive Committee and oneday-long meeting of the Council took place in Beijing,China, in August just prior to the XIII Congress of theInternational Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA).The Congress was very successful, included 30 field excursions,and was attended by about 1000 participantsrepresenting many countries. The three largest groupswere from China, U.S.S.R. and U.S.A. The P A Councilmeeting, formal and informal contacts with Chinese scientistsand engineers, and participation in INQUA activities,including field excursions, were very critical toplanning, understanding, and supporting the VI InternationalConference on Permafrost and associated fieldexcursions to be held in Beijing in July 1993.Participants in the INQUA Congress, whether on theirfirst mp to China or returning after earlier mps, could nothelp but be impressed with the continued eager cooperationof the Chinese with foreign associates, and also thecontinued increase in physical growth of the countrynewroads, hotels, local housing, and industry.Professor Cheng Guodong, Chairman of the OrganizingCommittee for the permafrost conference, and his staffhave been working vigorously in planning for the 1993conference. Excellent facilities for congresses in Beijingare available, and the Organizing Committee is planningto use accommodations and facilities that are less expensiveand more suitable for a meeting of 500 rather thanlarger conferences. To allow careful planning for thisimportant congress, the first P A conference in Asia, it isnecessary for potential participants to return participationforms and abstracts of papers by 15 February 1992(see back cover).The Organizing Committee has arranged interesting andimportant visits to cultural sites for which China is sowell known. These events are scheduled so that participantscan visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, PekingMan Site and others as well as participating in the plenaryand paper sessions. The three permafrost excursions areunique to Chinaand have already drawn largenumbers ofapplications. I urge you to sign up soon. It has been apleasure for my wife and me to have worked in the threeexcursion areas: Tian Shan Mountains, northeast China,and Tibet, and I highly recommend all of these excursionsto examine the scientific and engineering aspects ofpermafrost and periglacial features there.In connection with the excursion to Tibet, it has been myprivilege to participate in two working field investigationsin the high plateau, 1980 and 1991. Our 1991 tripfrom Lanzhou by bus to Golmud, Lhasa, and the Nepalborder in August permitted me and officials from theLanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology to gainfurther background information relating to the planningof the 1993 Permafrost Conference trip-Tibet, fromLanzhou to Lhasa.The Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau rises to more than4500 m elevation. The climate is cold; mean annualtemperatures are -3" to -5°C and summer temperaturesrange from 15°C to the 20s. The Qinghai-Xizang Highwayis paved and reminiscent of the earlier days of theAlaska Highway. The road crosses the Kunlun Range,the high plains around the source of the Yangtze Riverand the Tanggula Range (at 5231 m117.162 ft). The highmountain zone contains spectacular glaciers above 500&6000 m and most of the plateau is underlain by permafrost.Permafrost conditions anr! engineering problemswill be demonstrated throughout the area.In the Kunlun Pass area (4780 m elevation) of thenorthern plateau, pingos exist in lacustrine sediments andthe highway is adjacent to a large pingo (4680 m elevation).Thispingo was 14 x 45 x 18 m high in 1975. At thattime, its top was removed using explosives and groundwatercreated a lake in the cavity. The lake was 20 m indiameter and drained in 1981 exposing the pingo ice inthe walls. It has been a dry pingo since 1989 and is easilyavailable for examination by Conference participants.Troy L. PCwC, President, PATroy L. PCwC and Nat Rutter, immediate past president ofINQUA, in front of large pingo of lacustrine sediments,Kunlun Pass, Tibet. (T.L. PCwC photograph No. PK 29,844,15 August 1991.)Frozen Ground

SUMMARY OF IPA COUNCIL MEETINGThe Sixth Council Meeting, International PermafrostAssociation, was held in Beijing, China, on 3 1 July1992, from 0930 to 1700 hours. Present were: T.L.PCwC (USA), G.D. Cheng (China), J.R. Mackay (Canada),members of the Executive Committee, and thefollowing Council Members: P. Haesaerts (Belgium),H.M. French (Canada), Shi Yafeng (China), L. King(Germany), F. Dramis (Italy), E. Derbyshire (UnitedKingdom).President PCwC welcomed Council members and notedthat there was not a quorum so that any vote thatrequired aquorum would be conducted by mail ballot.The tentative agenda, which had been previously circulatedto all Adhering Bodies, was modified slightlyand approved. The draft minutes of the fourth and fifthCouncil Meetings, held at Quebec City, Canada, on 4and 5 June 1990, were approved, subject to one spellingerror. The following summarizes major agendaitems.Membership: Pew6 and Mackay reviewed the membership,which is now 18 countries. There have beenno replies to two letters written to Mongolia enquiringabout interest in IPA. K.J. Hall, from South Africa, haswritten to IPA asking about the possibility of severalcountries from Africa (e.g. Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe,South Africa) joining IPA as a Southern AfricaAssociation. The suggestion met with support butsince the Constitution refers to Adhering NationalBodies, a slight modification ofthe Constitution wouldbe required in order for an association composed ofseveral countries to join IPA.The following reports of Standing Committees andWorking Groups were given:Advisory Committee on Working Groups: Thereport by C.W. Love11 (Chairman) to form a newworking group on "Seasonal Freezing and Thawing ofPermafrost Areas" was discussed. The vote7 infavor, none opposed-will be put on a mail ballot.Finance Committee: (see following modified financialreport).Editorial Committee: There was a lengthy discussionon the procedures for the review of conferencepapers from China, the U.S.S.R., and other countries.The preparation of a Circumarctic Permafrost Mapwas strongly supported. The Executive Committeewas requested to work with J. Brown on aproposal forIUGS funding. During discussion of the FinanceCommittee report agreement was unanimous on theusefulness, continuation, and widespread distributionof Frozen Ground. Council requested that J. Brownserve as the IPA liaison with the newly formed SoilCryopedology Group, which will hold the First InternationalConference in Moscow in November 1992(see details in following report).Mountain Permafrost: F. Dramis reported on theactivities of the working group and the workshop to beheld at Interlaken, Switzerland, 16-20 September1991, including field trips to the French Alps and tothe Swiss, Italian, and Austrian Alps. A businessmeeting will be held at Interlaken to discuss futureactivities of the working group. Workshop papers areplanned for publication in PermafrostandPeriglacialProcesses (see details in following report).Foundations: (see Frozen GroundNumber 9, p. 6-7).Present Global Change and Permafrost: Work continueson a bibliography to appear as an Open File Report,Geological Survey of Canada, and on the monograph"Global Change and Permafrost" to be publishedas a special issue of Permafrost and PeriglacialProcesses in 1993 and copies made available to Conferenceparticipants.Data and Information: Appreciation was expressedfor the contribution of the Chairman (M.J. Clark) andthe Geo Data Institute. University of Southampton,U.K., towards the publication of Frozen GroundNumber8 (see additional information in following report).Periglacial Environments: There were brief discussionsabout the forthcoming sessions and publications(see following report for details).Terminology: There was discussion on the publicationof the multi-lingual index of the main terms in theNRCC glossary. H.M. French agreed to explore thepossibility of publishing the index in Permafrost andPeriglacial Processes. T.L. PCwC, H.M. French andFrozen Ground

J.R. Mackay noted that they had been contacted byProfessors V.N. Konishchev and N.N. Romanovskiyof Moscow State University regarding the preparationand publication of a Russian-English Glossary ofPermafrost Terms. The proposal is an ambitious oneand would require financial help. H.M. French agreedto try to obtain further information, including the relationshipof the proposed project to the TerminologyWorking Group.International Affiliations: ICSU (International Councilof Scientific Unions) asked IPA to help review theactivities ofIGBP (International Geosphere-BiosphereProgramme). The review is in progress with short reportsto be prepared by early September, under the directionof J. Brown and H.M. French.Nominating Committee: The President appointed anominating committee in June 1990. The three membersare: F. Dramis (Italy, Chairman), J.A. Heginbottom(Canada) andMadame Zhou Youwu (China). ThePresident reviewed the nominating procedure as givenin Bylaw No. 2 of the Constitution. The nominatingcommittee has been asked to prepare a list of nomineesfor the next Council Meeting in August 1992, Washington,D.C.VI International Conference on Permafrost: G.D.Cheng reviewed the status of the Conference. Morethan 1000 copies of the announcement have been distributedand upward of 120 positive replies werereceived. Approximately 60% of those who respondedchose the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau tour. There werenumerous positive suggestions as to the best ways ofensuring a widespread distribution of the First Bulle-tin. G.D. Cheng suggested that some of the WorkingGroups (e.g. Mountain Permafrost, Foundations,Present Global Change and Permafrost) participate inthe sessions by organizing panels, discussions, andspecial sessions as suggested by Chinese OrganizingCommittee (COC). Council members responded positivelyto the suggestion. Men-tion was also made of aSymposium to be organized by A.E. Corte.The venue of the VI Conference is under investigationby the COC. Council expressed the view that, if possible,accommodation be such that participants bothwith and without access to hard currency' could behoused either in the same complex or, if not in thesame complex, at least close enough to each other topermit personal contacts. Funding issues, registrationcosts, etc. were among numerous topics upon whichthere were wide ranging discussions.Future Meetings: The next Executive Committeeand Council Meetings are planned for early August1992 at Washington, D.C., U.S.A., just prior to theInternational Geographical Congress.VII International .Permafrost Conference: H.M.French re-affirmed Canada's interest in hosting theVII conference in 1998, provisionally at Yellowknife,N.W.T., Canada. French stated that a decision willlikely be taken late in 1991.Report based on draft minutes byJ. Ross Mackay,IPA Secretary General.Participants in the Council Meeting of InternationalPermafrost Association, July 31-August 1, 1991, Beijing, China.Left to right: Cheng Guodong, Vice President,China; Francesco Dramis, Representative. Italy;Shi Yafeng, Representative. China; J. RossMackay,Secretary-General, Canada; Troy L.Pkwe, President, U.S.A.; E. Derbyshire, ProxyRepresentative, U.K.; Lorenz King, Representative,Germany; Hugh French, Representative,Canada; Qui Guoqing, Representative, China.Not in photograph: P. Haesaerts, Proxy Representadve,Belgium. (Ptwk photograph No. PK29,766, July 31, 1991.)4 Frozen Ground

IPA STANDING COMMllTEESAND WORKING GROUPSFinance CommitteeThe following Financial Report was submitted at the3 1 July 1991 IPA Council meeting.A new unit dues structure was approved at the IPACouncil meeting in June 1990. The aim of this newdues structure is to ensure financial self-sufficiency ofthe IPA in 1993. At that time, the National ResearchCouncil of Canada will cease to support the operationof the Secretariat, currently in Canada.The initial dues structure, established at the time offormation of the IPA, wasCanada, U.S.A., U.S.S.R. $1000China $500(all figures reported in U.S. dollars unlessotherwise indicated).Since then, Denmark and Italy have each contributeddues ($250 each).For 1991, under the new dues structure, dues havebeen received to date from Canada (12 units-$3000),Germany (2 units-$500), and U.K. (2 units-$500). Itwas agreed that the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. wouldeach adhere with 12 units (i.e. $3000) and China with6 units (i.e. $1500). In addition, the IPA has beeninformed that the following countries will contributedues in 1991 as follows: Italy-3 units, France-2 units,Denmark, Belgium and Poland-1 unit each.Major expenses in 1990 were:Printing of Frozen Ground No. 7 $2132 (Can.)Executive expenses, Quebec City $941 (Can.)President's expenses $1000Global Change Working Group $450Expenses for Frozen Ground No. 8 and 9 were notcharged against the IPA. Expenses for the Secretariat($5500 Can.) were met by the National ResearchCouncil of Canada.The current bank balance of the IPA, representing thebalance of past dues and accrued interest, is $10,955(Can.).Recommendation: The Finance Committee recommendsthat all members arrange for annual dues to bepaid regularly so that long-term financial planning ofthe IPA is possible.The IPA is still in a critical funding situation untilannual dues are regularly received. Based on currentand previous expenditures, the financial requirementsof the IPA are probably between $12,000 and $15,000annually. This includes Secretariat expenses ($5000to $6000), Frozen Ground ($2000), Executive expenses($2000), and Working Groups ($2000 to $4000).If the U.S.A., U.S.S.R., Canada and China pay dues attheir designated levels, and if modest dues are paid bya number of other members, total revenues will approximatecurrent expenditures. If the P A is to undertakemajor projects, however, additional funds mustbe generated. Possible sources include:Advertising in Frozen GroundInstituting a small cost for Frozen Ground fromindividuals in some countriesSoliciting funds from appropriate national andlor international agencies for IPA projects(e.g. permafrost map)Imposing a surcharge upon registration at internationalpermafrost conferencesSelling publications (e.g. proceedings volumesof international conferences).Recommendation: The Finance Committee recommendsthat, in order to support all the activities of theIPA, additional sources of revenuemust continue to beinvestigated.Report byHugh M. French, ChairmanFrozcn Ground 5

PROVISIONAL LEGENDCircumarctic Map of Permafrost and Ground Ice ConditionsPermafrost and Ground IceDistribution of permafrost and content of pore ice and segregation ice in upper 10-20 m of groundPermafrostGround ice content (visible, Oh vol.)extent High Medium Low Nil(% of area) (>20) (10-20) (

Editorial CommitteeOver the past 15 months considerable progress hasbeen made in organizing the circumarctic permafrostmap project. Through a series of reciprocal visits andcorrespondence permafrost mapping specialists in Canada,U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. have developed a commoninternational legend and prepared test maps of regionswithin each of the three countries. This provisionallegend (opposite) was agreed upon in Anchorage,Alaska, in September 1991 at a series of meetingsattended by Heginbottom (Canada), E.S. Melnikovand Solomatin (U.S.S.R.) and Ferrians and Brown andothers (U.S.A.). The final map scale will most likelybe 1 :10,000,000. The following schedule is proposed:November 1991-Base maps prepared and distributedamong principals in the U.S.A., Canada, and theU.S.S.R. Submit abstracts for VI InternationalConference on Permafrost, the 27th InternationalGeographical Congress and several other workshopsand conferences.March 1992-Complete initial compilation accordingto current legend and circulate among principalsin U.S.A., Canada and the U.S.S.R. Presentposter at the Arctic and Vegetation Workshops,Boulder, Colorado.April 1992-Conduct review meeting in Ottawa orWashington, D.C., of U.S.A., Canada and U.S.S.R.principalsMay 1992-Distribute draft map to other IPA countriesand request input for August meetings inWashington, D.C.August 1992-Present, review and reviseat IPACouncilmeetings held in conjunction with the InternationalGeographical Congress. Prepare final layout.Complete and review conference paper for VIConference.Fall 1992/Winter 1993-Preparecompilation.Spring 1993-Print.and review finalJuly 1993-Present and distribute map to Conferenceparticipants in Beijing.Planning for review of Conference papers continues.Initial reviews will take place prior to the August 1992meeting of the Editorial Committee and Council inWashington, D.C. At that time, all manuscripts will begiven final consideration and the authors notified soonthereafter of acceptance and/or necessary modifications.Professional organizations, individuals and membersof IPA Working Groups will be asked to assist inthe review process and to participate if available in theIPA review sessions in August.The Chinese Organizing Committee agreed to extendthe deadline for abstracts until February 15, 1992.However, in order to facilitate processing, remainingabstracts should be air mailed or express mailed to IPAEditorial Committee, P.O. Box 9200, Arlington, VA222 19-0200, U.S.A. Authors will be notified promptlyof their receipt and provided with instructions forpreparation and submission of the manuscript. Deadlinefor submission of manuscript remains June 1,1992. Three copies of all non-Chinese and non-Sovietmanuscripts are to be sent to the address listed above.The review of all manuscripts will be completed bySeptember 1992.Finally, through the cooperation of IPA AdheringMembers and Working Groups adequate materials arebeing received to produce two issues of Frozen Groundper year.Report byJerry Brown, ChairmanTerminologyThe Terminology Working Group was organized inFall 1988, after the V International Permafrost Conference,to develop a set of internationally acceptedpermafrost terms for use in both engineering and science,with equivalents in various languages, and todisseminate and encourage the use of such terminologyCurrent membership:Robert 0. van Everdingen, Chairman, Arctic Instituteof North America, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaRoger G. Barry, University of Colorado, Boulder,Colorado, U.S.A.Arturo E. Corte, Instituto Argentina de Nivologia yGlaciologie, Mendoza, ArgentinaOscar J. Ferrians, Jr., U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage,Alaska, U.S.A.Johannes Karte, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,Bonn, GermanyBranko Ladanyi, ~cole Polytechnique, Montreal, Quebec.CanadaFrozen Ground

Qui Guoqing, Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology,Lanzhou, People's Republic of ChinaNikolai N. Romanovskiy, Moscow State University,Moscow, U.S.S.R.Matti Seppal$ University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandProgress since 1990: The report includes the additionof Spanish equivalents for 22 secondary terms in theNRCC Glossary. These were produced by ArturoCorte and co-workers, and have been incorporated intothe multi-lingual (English/French/German/Russian/Spanish) index. The German translation of primaryand secondary terms in the Glossary was received inSeptember and is being incorporated in the Glossaryindex. Suggestions for modificationof48 ofthe Frenchterms in the NRCC Glossary have been received fromthe Commission Franqaise pour 1'~tude des PhCnomknesPCriglaciaires. The modified terms have been incorporatedin the Glossary index.In the U.S.S.R., translation of the NRCC Glossary hasbeen completed, and a copy of the translation is beingused to incorporate Russian equivalents into the Glossaryindex. A number of the terms in the Russian translationof the Glossary were provided with additionalcomments, because they are used in a slightly differentsense in the Soviet Union. It has been suggested thatthe additional comments should be translated intoEnglish, for possible inclusion in a future (Russian/English) edition of the Glossary.Oscar Fenians is continuing to review the definitionsin the English version of the NRCC Glossary to selectterms that need further consideration for refinement orredefinition.Matti Seppala has proposed five Swedish and Finnishterms for eventual inclusion in the international glossary:aapa mire, flark, palsa mire, puonu, and puonikko.He has also suggested that the meaning of palsashould be limited to the original definition.The first product of the combined efforts of the TerminologyWorking Group will be a multi-lingual indexof the main and secondary terms in the NRCC Glossary.A sample of the index was published in FrozenGround(No. 9, June 1991), for comment. Suggestionson where, when and in what form the index should bepublished will be welcomed.Report by Robert 0. van Everdingen,ChairmanMountain PermafrostThe International Working Group on MountainPermafrost organized, in collaboration with theWorking Group on Periglacial Environments, an InternationalWorkshop on Permafrost and PeriglacialEnvironments in Mountain Areas. The meeting washeld in Interlaken, Switzerland, 16-20 September199 1. The meeting was organized by W. Haeberli andstaff of VAW, Department of Glaciology, Swiss FederalInstitute of Technology, Zurich, with the GlacierCommission and the Geomorphological Society ofthe Swiss Academy of Sciences as co-sponsors.The primary aim was to bring together researchersfrom different parts of the world and working on differentaspects of mountain permafrost, allowing themto exchange their opinions and experiences on somemajor topics.The Workshop officially opened on 16 September andwas divided into the following sessions:Prospecting for Mountain Permafrost and Mappingof Associated Phenomena (Chair: M. Evin,A.P. Gorbunov and L. King)Distribution of Mountain Permafrost and Climate(Chair: Cheng Guodong and F. Dramis)Processes andLandforms in the Periglacial MountainBelt as Related to Seasonally and PerenniallyFrozen Ground (Chair: J.P. Lautridou and Y.Sollid)Permafrost Creep on Slopes and Rock Glaciers(Chair: D. Barsch and G. Shroder)Relations and Interactions Between MountainPermafrost, Glaciers, Snow and Water (Chair:S.A. Hams)Construction, Environmental Problems and NaturalHazardsin PeriglaciulMountain Belts (Chair:W. Haeberli and I. Rastegayev).Approximately 50 people from more than 13 countriesattended the conference and about 40 papers on currentresearch were presented. At the end of each sessiontime was devoted to general discussion and to thereview of draft situation reports prepared by WorkingGroup members and corresponding members. Situationreports and selected papers are planned to beincluded in a future issue of Permafrost and Periglacia1Processes.In addition to presentations and discussions, a veryinteresting mid-workshop field trip was organized byFrozen Ground

W. Haeberli and G.-L. Amigier, to the Jungfraujoch.Moreover, a pre-workshop excursion to the SouthernAlps-Wallis Alps, organized by M. Evin, W. Haeberliand G. Tenthorey, and a post-workshop trip to theEastern Swiss Alps-Italian Alps, organized by W.Haeberli, M. Hoelzle, F. Keller, C. Smiraglia, D. Von-der Miill and S. Wagner, were also held. All were veryinteresting from both scientific and aesthetic points ofview; of particular importance were the instrumentedexperimental monitoring sites.Report by Francesco Dramis,ChairmanPermafrost Data and InformationThe Working Group is currently pursuing severalactivities to improve awareness of and access to permafrostdata and information:Development of a prototype inventory of data onpermafrost, the active layer, and related climateterrainvariables. This will build initially on theexpertise within the group, but input is invitedfrom any P A members holding significant recordsor data sets of this type, or archives of which theymay be aware. Currently, the Arctic EnvironmentalData Directory of the USGS lists only one suchdata set collected by T. Osterkamp.Individuals with such information are invited tocommunicate with Dr. R.G. Barry,WDC-A, Glaciology.The descriptions should, if possible, include:Data specifications (content, format, spatialcoverage, record length[s], frequency of observation);form of data storage (media); ownership;availability (contact person). As a relatedeffort, an inventory of permafrost maps is beingprepared. J.A. Heginbottom has compiled descriptionsof various medium- and large-scale mapsand translated the legends into English, wherenecessary. He is also compiling an updated indexfor the international permafrost conferences. Circulationof these is anticipated at the 1993 Conferencein Beijing.Identification of selected data sets that are in acomputerized format suitable for transferral toWDC-A for Glaciology. The Data Center may beable to produce a sampler diskette of such recordsas a demonstration product and for internationalexchange.Identification of "historical" records that maymerit a data rescue effort to ensure their securityand preservation. NOAA has a new focus in thisarea which may permit WDC-A for Glaciology toexpand its efforts.An abstract on the planned 15-year permafrostbibliography has been submitted by A. Brennanand C. Hanson of WDC-A for Glaciology to thenext Polar Libraries Colloquy (May 1992, Columbus,Ohio).Report by R.G. Bany,SecretaryPeriglacial EnvironmentsRecent meetings of the Working Group include theworkshop in Caen (see Frozen Ground No. 9, p. 4). thejoint meeting with the Working Group on MountainPermafrost in Interlaken (see p. 8, this issue) and abusiness meeting in Amsterdam, May 5, 1991.Future plans include:1992: A joint meeting in Alberta with IGCP 297, andpre- and post-IGU Congress field trips in the U.S. (seeCalendar, this issue). During the IGU Congress, twopaper sessions with the IGU Periglacial Commission(C. Thorn, organizer). and a joint business meeting ofthe Working Group and the IGU Commission.1993: IPA Conference in China. A Working Groupsymposium is under discussion entitled "Permafrostand Landscape Evolution, Past and Present Day."1994: A meeting on periglacial structures in the regionof Leipzig, organized by L. Eissman, will convene inSummer 1994. A joint meeting will be held of theWorking Group and of the IGU Frost Action Commissionin France, September 1994, with a field trip onGrhzes lit& and a Symposium on the Movement ofSlope Debris in Past and Present Periglacial Environments,Especially in High Altitude.Report by J.P. Lautridou,ChairmanFrozen Ground

NEWS FROM MEMBER COUNTRIESARGENTINAThe International Geological Correlation Programme,Project No. 297, "Geocryology of the Americas," willhave its fourth meeting together with the VI InternationalConference on Permafrost, 5-9 July 1993, inBeijing, China. The aims of the project are clearlydefined as: i) to identify present and past geocryogenicprocesses, ii) to correlate them across the Americasand the world, iii) to identify areas of future applicationsand nature conservation, and iv) to stimulatetraining in geocryology. Dates for submission of abstracts,papers and registrations are the same as for thePermafrost Conference. For more information contactthe organizer of the meeting in China: Cui Zhijiu,University of Qeijing, China; or Project 297 leaderArturo E.Corte, P.O. Box 330,5500 Mendoza, Argentina,Telex: 55438 CYTME AR; Fax: 54-61-380370.Report by Arturo E. CorteCANADACold Regions Division, Canadian GeotechnicalSociety: The 44th Annual Meeting of the CanadianGeotechnical Society was held in Calgary, 29 Septemberto 2 October 1991. As usual, the Cold RegionsDivision sponsored a session on Cold Regions Engineering,in which eight papers were presented. Thepapers dealt with the distribution of saline permafrostin the N.W.T., the performance of frost heave andfreeze-thaw tests in the laboratory, the dynamic responseof piles in frozen soils, the performance ofgrouts for piles in permafrost, arctic offshore explorationstructures, penetration testing for arctic soils, andthe measurement of pore water pressures in freezingand thawing soils. In addition to this paper session,J.F. (Denck) Nixon, of Esso Resources Canada, Ltd.,gave the R.M. Hardy Keynote Address on the topic of"Frost Heave Prediction." In his address, Nixon presentedan overview of recent developments in thetheory and practice of frost heave modeling.The Geotechnical Society now includes a fifth Division,the Environmental Engineering Division, whichhas aroused considerable interest. This Division alsosponsored a session at the recent conference, with 13papers scheduled.At the business meeting of the Cold Regions Division,concern was expressed about the low level of permafrostresearch activity in Canada. This reflects, in largemeasure, the current low level of petroleum and mineralexploration and development activities inCanada's arctic regions.The 45th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, to beheld in Toronto, 26-28 October 1992, will include twosessions sponsored by the Cold Regions Division: oneon Permafrost Terrain and the other on the NorthWarning System (see Calendar).Awards: The 1991 Roger J.E. Brown Award, whichwas established in 1986 to honor the memory of the renownedCanadian permafrost scientist, was awarded toDr. Don Hayley of EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd.,Edmonton, for his services to permafrost engineeringand science in Canada. Don Hayley was the foundingpresident of the Cold Regions Division, CanadianGeotechnical Society. He is also former chairman ofthe Canadian Permafrost Subcommittee (now disbanded),and is currently a member of the Canadian NationalC~mmittee for the IPA.Dr. Branko Ladanyi, of hole Polytechnique, Universit6de Montrkal, was awarded the 1991 Elbert F. RiceMemorial Lectureship of the School of Engineering,University of Alaska, and the Technical Council onCold Regions Engineering, American Society of CivilEngineers. The award was given to Branko Ladanyi "inrecognition of his long-standing contribution to coldregions engineering."Permafrost Research at the Geological Survey ofCanada: The Geological Survey of Canada comprisesone of the largest groups in Canada of scientists (asdistinct from engineers) and technicians devoted primarilyto permafrost research. Most of the work is carriedout within the Terrain Dynamics Subdivision. TerrainSciences Division, based in Ottawa. Other perma-Frozen Ground

frost work is carried out in the Environmental MarineGeology Subdivision. Atlantic Geoscience Centre, inDartmouth, Nova Scotia, and at the Centre GCoscientifiquedu QuCbec, in QuCbec City. Because of its implicationsfor petroleum exploration, development andtransportation in arctic regions, much of this research isundertaken with funding support from the Energy ResearchProgram of the Government of Canada.Work being done in Terrain Sciences Division comprisesgeothermal studies, geophysical research, andgeological and geotechnical studies. The geothermalstudies include basic research on heat and mass transferprocesses in frozen ground, laboratory modeling offrozen ground, the routine measurement of deep groundtemperatures in oil wells in the permafrost regions ofCanada, and studies of gas hydrates. Geophysical researchincludes the development of geophysical systems(instruments, recording techniques, processingsoftware) for the identification of ice-bonded soils andfor the determination of ground ice conditions withsoils. Techniques under development include highresolutionrefraction seismic for both land and marineapplications, seismic shear waves and ground-penetratingradar. Other research includes studies of themechanical properties of frozen ground, of slope stabilityin permafrost terrain, of ground ice and its properties,of the performance of pipeline rights-of-way inpermafrost regions, and the relationship of permafrostconditions to climate and to possible future climaticchanges. Within Atlantic Geoscience Centre, studieshave concentrated on the geotechnical properties ofseabed materials and on elucidating the form, and thehistory of the multi-layered subsea permafrost bodiesof the Beaufort Sea continental shelf.A major multidisciplinary project to examine geotechnicaland geological conditions in the shore zone ofthe Beaufort Sea in the Canadian western Arctic was recentlycompleted. The project was a cooperative venturebetween Geological Survey of Canada, Gulf Can-ada Resources, Esso Resources Canada, Ltd., HillGeoscience Research. and the Inuvik Scientific ResearchCentre. The study comprised the drilling, coringand sampling of a line of six deep boreholes(depths of 30 to 100 m) extending from onshore onnorthern Richards Island out to a water depth of 12 m,22 km offshore, plus three shallower holes (1 8 to 2 1 mdepth) right at the coastline. The drilling was done inlate winter of 1990, through the land-fast ice, usingterrestrial drilling techniques and chilled drilling mud.Associated studies included 12 cone penetrometertests, geothermal studies down-hole and other geologicaltests and observations. Results of the field andlaboratory studies are still being analyzed.In July 199 1 a party of five scientists and techniciansfrom Terrain Sciences Division visited the Yamal andGydan peninsulas of northern West Siberia, U.S.S.R.,for a cooperative study of geophysical and geotechnicalmethods used for the detection and mapping of icerichsediments in areas of oil/gas well sites and pipelines.The Soviet participantswere from VSEGINGEO,U.S.S.R. Ministry of Geology. The techniques utilizedcomprised engineering geology, seismic andelectrical profiling, georadar, and geothermal studies.The Soviet side provided drilling and sampling equipment,camp facilities, and all air and ground transportation.Accomplishments included the developmentof a new field technique for mapping shallow massiveice (5- to 20-m depth) using combined Soviet andCanadian technology, and exposure of both sides tothe equipment and methods of the other. A series ofreports is in progress, and joint presentations are beingplanned for the VI International Permafrost Conference,Beijing, 1993. The Soviet side is expected tovisit Canada in MarchIApril 1992, for combined fieldwork in the Mackenzie Delta region.Prepared by J.A. Heginbottom,Secretary, CNC/IPAGeological Survey of CanadaCHINAThe World Data Center-D for Glaciology and Geocryologyis operated by, and co-located with, the LanzhouInstitute of Glaciology and Geocryology (LIGG),Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Center has extensiveholdings in the areas of ice, snow and permafrost,as follows:Glaciology1. Glacier inventory2. Glaciological hydrology3. Glaciological climatology4. Ice core5. Ice sheets in the polar regions6. River, lake and sea ice7. Ice chemistry8. Ice physical parameters9. Landsat MSS, TM, SPOT images and CCT datain typical glacial areas10. Engineering parameters of iceGeocryology1. Permafrost distribution-Frozen Ground

2. Permafrost temperature3. Profile data of permafrost geology4. Thermal and mechanical properties of frozensoils and the data from Low Temperature Laboratories5. Ground ice6. TM, SPOT images and aerial photographs intypical permafrost regionsSnow cover1. Ground observation data2. Snow chemistry3. Snow avalanche and snowdrift4. Snow physical parameters5. Snow remote senseddata: AVHRR, SMMR, TM,SPOTNorthern Hemisphere-winters and springs from1966-1983) (CCT, inch)Snow spectrum reflection data in different state(0.38- to 1.2-pm; resolution: 10 mm, density:1600/800, inch)6. Engineering parameters of snowData and publications available include:Glacier inventory of ChinaQilian Mountains (1 volume)Altayshan (1 volume)Parnir (1 volume)Inland water system on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(the basin of Zhari Namco) (1 volume)Kunlun Mountains and Karakorum (5 volumes)Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology (quarterly)(volumes 1-13)Memoirs of Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Geocryology(5 volumes, 1980-1985)Geocryology (numbers 1-6)Annual Report of Tianshan Glacial Station (5 volumes,1966-1983)MapsMap of Snow, ice and Frozen Ground in China,1 :4,000,000Glacier Map of Qomolangma Peak Area, 1 :50,000Batura Glacier Map, 1 :60,000Gonggashan Glacier Map, 1 :50,000Glacier Map of Tianshan Glacier No. 1, 1 : 10,000and 15,000Further information can be obtained fromWDC-D forGlaciology and Geocryology, Lanzhou Institute ofGlaciology and Geocryology, Chinese Academy ofSciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaTelephone: (0931) 26725, Ext. 251Cable: Lanzhou 0393Telex: 72008 IGGAS CNDirector: Professor Xie ZichuVice Directors: Professor Zeng Qunzhu and ProfessorCheng GuodongPersonnel in Charge of Techniques: Associate ProfessorFeng XuezhiExecutive Secretary: Assistant Professor Chen XianzhangSWITZERLANDOn behalf of the IPA Working Groups on MountainPermafrost and on Periglacial Environments, and withthe Glacier Commission and the GeomorphologicalSociety of the Swiss Academy of Sciencesas co-sponsoringagencies, the Swiss Coordinating Group onPermafrost organized the International Workshop"Permafrost and Periglacial Environments in MountainAreas" at Interlaken, Switzerland, 16-20 September1991. Most of the ongoing research projects in theSwiss Alps were presented at this conference.Efforts continued to develop a system for long-termmonitoring of alpine permafrost by photogrammetricallyanalyzing repeated aerial photography of severalrock glaciers and by measuring borehole temperatureand vertical/horizontal deformation. Monitoring ofborehole temperatures at the Murtbl drill site reveals apronounced warming trend as a consequence of theParticipants in the post-workshop field ~p at the Ursinapermafrost borehole near Pontresinfingadin, Swiss Alps.Left to right: Dramis (Italy), Urdea (Romania), Pissart(Belgium), Haeberli (Switzerland), Ono (Japan), Cheng(China), Sorbel (Noway), Wagner (Switzerland), Sone(Japan), Keller (Switzerland), Rastegayev (U.S.S.R.), Hoelzle(Switzerland), Gorbunov (U.S.S.R.), andvonder Miihll(Switzerland). (Photograph provided by W. Haeberli.)Frozen Ground

late 1980s. At 10-m depth where the amplitude of annualtemperature variations is reduced to about 0.3"C,the warming rate during the past four years was about0.5 to 1 "C per decade. Following detailed geophysicalmapping and surface sounding (BTS, seismic refraction,DC resistivity, radar), two new'permafrost boreholesintobedrock were installed, logged andequippedat the site Ursina above PontresinaFngadin in connectionwith problems of avalanche protection anddebris flow hazards. First results from borehole temperatureand deformation measurements are now availablefrom this site: mean annual permafrost temperaturesare close to -0.6" and -1.7"C, permafrost thicknessesare about 35 and 40 m, and surface creep ratesof the frozen sediments with up to about 80% ice byvolume are 6 and 10 cmlyear.On the large rock glacier Suvretta at Piz Albana nearSt. MoritzfEngadin, new investigations started withgeophysical soundings (seismic refraction, DC resistivity)and tracer experiments in a small river passingunderneath the rock glacier front. First attempts werealso made to apply gravimetric and VLF-resistivitymeasurements to Alpine permafrost. With respect tothe permafrost cores from the Murt&l drilling, methodsof gas extraction are currently being tested (PaulSchemer Institute, ETH Zurich), rock particles arebe-ing analyzed (Engineering Geology, ETH Zurich)and the special characteristics of the main shear horizon(fabric, isotopes) are being investigated (Laboratoirede GComorphologie, UniversitC Libre de Bruxelles).In accordance with her Academy of Sciences, Switzerlandhas offered the IPA Council to host one of theforthcoming International Permafrost Conferences.Prepared by Wilfred HaeberliU.S.A.The U.S. Committee for the IPA plans to meet duringthe August 1992 meeting of the IPA. The U.S. Committeeon Permafrost, formerly under the Polar ResearchBoard of the U.S. Academy of Sciences, is nolonger active.ASCE News: The Technical Council for Cold RegionsEngineering (TCCRE) of the American Societyof Civil Engineers (ASCE) met in Orlando, Florida,24-26 October 1991. A four-paper session was heldon Highways and Airfields in Cold Regions. The nextmeeting of TCCRE is scheduled for 8-1 0 March 1992in Long Beach, California. TCCREIASCE is consideringthe formation of a Standing Committee on Permafrost;a decision will be reached in 1992.The next International Conference on Cold RegionsEngineering is scheduled for March 1994 in Edmonton,Alberta, Canada, and the following Conferencewill be held in 1996 in Fairbanks, Alaska.Report by C.W. Lovell,Chairman, USCDPAU.S.S.R.The Problem of Climate Change and Permafrost:According to the activity of the WMO-UNEP IntergovernmentalPanelon Climate Change, three projectswithin the limits of State scientific-technological programswere developed and financed for the U.S.S.R.:1. Assessment of Impact of Global Climate Changeon the Cryolithozone;2. Monitoring of the Cryolithozone;3. Cryosphere: Dynamics of the Coastal Area.The basic investigations are carried out by the PermafrostInstitute and Cryosphere Institute of the SiberianBranch of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, otherinstitutions of the Academy, departments of the MoscowState University, VSEGINGEO and other agencies.The research is guided under the leadership ofAcademician P.I. Melnikov.Project I: Scientific analysis of contemporary cryolithozonein the U.S.S.R. and scenarios of its possiblechanges: The changes of climate duri~g the past 100years in the permafrost area of the U.S.S.R. and theassessment of permafrost/surface temperature andthickness of the active layer are being studied. Theemission of greenhouse gas from degrading frozenground into the atmosphere at stations established inNorth Yakutia and the Magadan area. Estimates ofmethane release from gas hydrates should be undertaken.Project 2: The evolution of heat balance inpermafrostby the natural and man-induced climate change withinthe limits of diflerent blocks of lithosphere: Specialstations for systematic temperature measurements inFrozen Ground

permafrost to the depth of 20-30 m are being established.One of those stations is situated near Yakutskand is being managed by the U.S.S.R. Permafrost Instituteand Japanese Institute of Low Temperature Science.Two stations in Yamal Peninsula (West Siberia)and at the Viljuii hydropower station (Yakutia) areunder construction. Additional stations are proposedto be established in different areas of Siberia, the FarEast and in China along meridians crossing the permafrostarea.Project 3: History of permafrost during Pleistoceneand Ho1ocene:Assessment of thecontemporary changesof the landscapes in the region of the NovosibirskyIslands and adjacent coastal plains is in progress.Equal to this, the investigations to elaborate measuresto protect structures and facilities from anticipatednegative impacts of permafrost degradation have begun.The new types of foundations and methods tostrengthen the basements from thawing are being developed.Experiments on test sites using artificialcooling for weak foundations are in progress.Report by N.A. Grave,U.S.S.R. Academy of SciencesThe Conference on Ground Ice and Cryornorphogenesis:The Department of Geocryology of the MoscowState University and the Division of ComplexInvestigations of Chukotka, Northeastern ResearchInstitute, Far Eastern Branch, U.S.S.R. Academy ofSciences co-organized the Conference on Ground Iceand Cryomorphogenesis under the direction of the InterdepartmentalLithological Committee, Section"Cryolithogenesis" and Scientific Council on EngineeringGeology and Hydrogeology, U.S.S.R. Academyof Sciences.The conference was held 19-24 August 199 1, in Anadyr,Chukotka, U.S.S.R., and was attended by specialistsfrom the U.S.S.R., the U.S.A. and Japan. ThirtythreeSoviet participants, including E.D. Ershov, I.D.Danilov, A. Raukas, G.I. Dubikov, V.G. Kondratev,Y .P. Lebedenko, G.Z. Perlshtein, N.A. Shpolyanskaya,R. Vaikmaye, among others, represented 14 Soviet universities,academic institutions and ministries, as follows:Departments of Geocryology (Faculty of Geology)and Cryolithology (Faculty of Geography) of MoscowState University; Lvov State University; PermafrostInstitute, Siberian Branch, U.S.S.R. Academy ofSciences, Yakutsk; Tianshan High Mountain GeocryologicalLaboratory of the Permafrost Institute; NortheasternDivision of the Permafrost Institute, Magadan;the Division of Complex Investigations of Chukotka,Northeastern Research Institute, Far Eastern Branch,U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences; Institute of Geology,Estonian Academy of Sciences; Institute of EngineeringSite Investigations, Moscow; Mining Institute,Siberian Branch, U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences,Yakutsk; All-Union Research Institute of Hydrotechnicsnamed after B.E. Vedeneev. St. Petersburg; NPOSite Investigations for Construction; Institute "Mosgiprotrans,"Moscow.The U.S. participants included Jerry Brown, RayKreig, James Rooney, Duane Miller, Max Brewer andBeez Hazen. Japanese participants were Masami Fuku,Institute of Low Temperature Science; and ShinjiSaito. Nagoya City University.Professor Edward Ershov, Head of the Department ofGeocryology, MSU, was the Conference's PresidingOfficer and Chairman of the Organizing Committee.Dr. M. Tishin, Head of the Geocryological Laboratory,Division of Complex Investigations of Chukotka,was Co-chairman of the Organizing Committee andthe Conference host. Dr. N.I. Trush was ScientificSecretary of the Conference.Twenty-three papers were presented, including sixAmerican and Japanese reports, in four categories:Theoretical and regional problems of ground iceformation and cryomorphogenesisIsotopic chemical composition of ground ice andhost frozen soilsHistory of ground ice formation and paleocryogenicphenomenaGround ice and industrial development of the permafrostzonePresent-day theoretical and practical problems ofground ice formation were discussed in papers byDanilov and Ershov. Classification of massive ice andproblems related to the formation and genesis of massiveice in the northern part of Western Siberia andwithin the alpine permafrost zone of the Middle andCentral Asia's mountains were addressed by Danilov,Shpolyanskaya and Ermolin. Problems related to thestructural ice formation and to microstructure of frozensoils were discussed by Ershov, Lebedenko andChuvilin. Isotopic-chemical composition of groundice and glaciers were addressed by Vaikmaye, Fukuda,Dubikov, Kotov and Bragnik.Vaikmaye presented results of comparative analysisof isotope composition of oxygen in ground ice andglaciers for paleoclimatic reconstructions. Fukudaaddressed a paper on occurrence of ice-wedge ice andFrozen Ground

ics. They showed the role of different scale tectonicmovements in the evolution of the permafrost zone, inparticular, of its cryogenic topography.The influence of ground ice on the industrial developmentof the Arctic and the permafrost zone of the SovietUnion was discussed by Krivonogova, Kondratevand several others.Cape Rogoznyi outcrop of the Late Pleistocene frozen glaciomarinedeposits with massive ice and syngenetic ice wedges,northern coast of the Onemen Bay, Anadyr, Chukotka, U.S.S.R.(Photograph by Igor D. Danilov, Moscow State University,August 23, 1991 .)its chemical composition in the Tertiary bedrock atSeymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Dubikov's primaryconcern was geochemistry of massive ice andfrozen host soils. Raukas discussed the current state ofthe problem of the Pleistocene cryogenic periods andglacial formations. He proposed critical analysis ofthe most recent stratigraphic schemes compiled on theU.S.S.R. European part and also their correlation.Kotov,Bogutsky, Voloshin andothersdiscussed paleocryogenicproblems of ground ice formation in Chukotkaand Western Ukraine.Brown presented results of investigations of activelayer and near-surface ground ice characteristics atBarrow, Alaska. Rooney presented results of engineeringgeological site investigations in the CopperRiver Basin, Alaska, which revealed patterns of icedistribution in frozen lacustrine and glacial marinedeposits. Kreig presented results of test borings frommounds in the Little Tonsina River valley, Alaska.Airphoto analysis and borehole data suggest a frostheave mechanism for formation of the mounds withinthe Southern Copper River Basin. Climatic changeand temperatures of permafrost in arctic Alaska wereaddressed by Brewer. Duane Miller presented examplesof application of new technology in Arctic engineering.Roujansky and Danilov discussed relationships betweendevelopment of the permafrost zone in theNorthern Eurasia in the Late Cenozoic and neotecton-Several field trips included visits to various industrialenterprises in Anadyr region, including a power stationand a dam, and some construction and engineeringsites in Anadyr, and test sites of the Anadyrpermafrostlaboratory. One of the test sites called "Ozemoe"is used for agricultural research on tundra terrain. The1700-m-long, 16-m-high earth dam and underlain bypermafrost is kept frozen with a large number ofthermopiles placed to depths of 16-35 rn.A boat trip from Anadyr city along the northem coastof the Onemen Bay to the Cape Rogoznyi allowed observationof different types of ground ice outcropsalong the bluff. The Late Pleistocene frozen depositswith massive ice and syngenetic ice-wedges composevarious geomorphological levels and are heterogeneousboth in horizontal plan and in cross section.The Conference coincided with dramatic events in theSoviet Union (August coup). The Soviet conferees expressedtheir sincere appreciation to the American andJapanese colleagues for their solidarity and supportfor the democratic process.The Conference was a success thanks to support of itssponsors: Centerof Youth's Initiative, Yakutsk: NortheasternResearch Institute, Far Eastern Branch.U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, Magadan and Anadyr;Executive Committee of Soviet of People's Deputiesof Chukotka, Anadyr.The Conference provided an excellent opportunity forSoviet, American and Japanese participants to sharetheir achievements and new ideas on permafrost scienceand cold regions engineering. The next meetingis proposed to be held in Lvov, Ukraine, U.S.S.R., andTallinn, Estonia, in 1993.Report by Vladislav E. Roujanskyand Edward D. Ershov,Moscow State UniversityFrozen Ground15

MISCELLANEOUSs22nd Annual Geomorphology SymposiumApproximately 100 registrants participated in the 22ndAnnual Geomorphology Symposium hosted this yearby the Department of Geography at SUNY-Buffalo,and devoted to periglacial geomorphology. Seventeenspeakers divided their attention almost equally betweenalpine and (sub)polar periglacial regimes. Thealpine speakers distributed their attention across theU.S./Canadian Rockies, the Appalachians, the Andes,and the Scottish Highlands, while the (sub)polar groupfocused its attention primarily upon the Canadianarchipelago with one Antarctic presentation. A postersession embraced a wide range of penglacial topics. Agenerous amount of time for informal discussion contributedgreatly to a very successful meeting.A number of issues emerged from a broad range ofthematic papers. Among the more pervasive problemsand emphases to be discussed were:1. The need for both more field data on, and a moresophisticated conceptualization of, freeze-thawweathering.2. The fundamental controls on periglacial developmentimposed by lithology and previous glacialhistory in at least some penglacial environments.3. The limitations imposed upon our understandingof contemporary periglacial process rates by"Ph.D." time(i.e., the three- to four-year periodofmonitoring normally reported).4. Both the theoretical progress made in our understandingof frost sorting, as well as the value ofstill approaching it as a multiple working hypothesis,field issue.5. The considerable terminological complexity concerningvarious types of ground ice, as well as theongoing uncertainty with respect to origin inmany instances.6. The serious problem in continuing to overlookthe role of chemical processes in cold environments.In all the symposium revealed periglacial geomorphologyto be in a vigorous state with a growing levelof sophistication in both the investigation of newaspects of the discipline as well as in reconsiderationof established concepts. The symposium volume, editedby the organizers John C. Dixon and Athol D.Abrahams, is to be published as Periglacial Geomorphologyin June 1992 by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.,and promises to be stimulating reading for anyone interestedin periglacial geomorphology.Report by Colin E. Thorn,University of Illinois-UrbanaJChampaignSixth International Symposium on Ground FreezingISGF 91 was held at the Fragrant Hill case histories including innovative technology andHotel in Beijing, China, 10-12 September problems were also discussed. The first volume of the1991. The meeting, hosted by the Central proceedings, Ground Freezing 91, has been publishedCoal Mining Research Institute, was by A.A. Balkema (Yu Xiang and Wang Changsheng,chaired by Professor Yu Xiang. Approxi- Ed.), and includes 56 papers. Late papers and discusmately100 specialists in ground freezing technology sion summaries will be published in a second volume.and practice attended, one-half of whom were fromThe conference was followed by a technical tour tocountries outside of China, including Belgium, Cana-Qufu to observe a shaft-sinking site. Cultural visitsda, England, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Swewerealso made to Shanghai and Xian and to Dunden,Switzerland, the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R.whang in western China.The conference included technical sessions on HeatThe International Organizing Committee (IOC) forand Mass Transfer, Mechanical Properties, EngineertheISGF symposia also met to conduct business. Iting Design and Case Histories. Recent advancementsannounced that the next ISGF will be held in Nancy,in the understanding of ice segregation and frost heaveFrance, in 1994. Details will be published by theprocesses were presented. Also, some current studiesFrench National Committee.of strength - and creep of frozen soil were discussed.Practical methods for calculating and dimensioningartificial ground freezing projects were presented andReport by Edwin J. Chamberlain,Treasurer, IOC ISGF16 Frozen Ground

Commission on Global Continental Paleohydrology (GLOCOPH)The JNQUA International Council at its meeting inBeijing on 7 August 199 1 accepted the proposal presentedby delegates L. Starkel (Poland) and V. Baker(U.S.A.) and founded a Commission on Global ContinentalPaleohydrology. The officers of this newCommission are: President-L. Starkel, Polish Academyof Sciences; Vice-Presidents-V. Baker, Universityof Arizona, and K.J. Gregory, University of Southampton,U.K.; Secretary-J. Maizels, University ofAberdeen, U.K. 'The following are proposed for thenew Commission:Analysis of the nature of global hydrological changes(fluxes and storages) during the last 20 ka using a timeresolutionof lo2-lo3 years in all land areas with someemphasis on those holding the greatest human populationsand the most water-sensitive areas.The objectivesshould include:Development of interrelated data bases employingexisting data sets by defining a range of proxyindicatorsQuantification of changes in the water balanceincluding precipitation, runoff, evaporation andvarious types of storage in major world zonesAnalysis of factors, including climate and humanactivity, controlling changes in the water balanceCorrelation of the results of existing models anddevelopment of global paleohydrological modelsbased on paleohydrological explorations in thefieldExtension of the results to contribute to predictionsof future hydrological changes.Southern AfricaWhile not an area one would readily associate withpermafrost there is, nevertheless, a small group ofpeople with a strong interest in the recent role of thisphenomenon in the development ofthe local mountainlandforms. As reported in Frozerl Ground No. 8, ameeting of IGCP #297 was held in South Africa in1990 during which a number of overseas visitors weretaken to see several key sites. However, much detailedwork remains to be done, not the least being to determineif, when and where permafrost actually existedFrost in Geotechnical EngineeringThe first conference on Frost ir. Geotechnical Engineeringwas held in Finland in March 1989. The organizersare proposing a second conference in Alaskain either 1993 or 1993, possibly in conjunction withTo realize this extensive program we need a goodinternal structure for our Commission as well as anevaluation of the present state of the art by preparingan edited book entitled Global Continental Paleohydrology(edited by K.J. Gregory in cooperation withV. Baker and L. Starkel). In fact, this book is nowunder preparation and will include chapters providingthe background and summarizing the state of research.Internal structure of the GLOCOPH: The formation ofthe following subcommissions were proposed: polarand subpolar zone; temperate zone; arid zone; humidtropics; and high mountains (facultative). In each ofthese zonal commissions it will be necessary to identifysome key river and lake basins.Parallel with these subcommissions working groupsfor special problems were proposed: global water cyclechanges and estimation of changes; database developmentfor runoff and methods for its reconstruction;methods of reconstruction of changes in waterstorage (groundwater, permafrost, glaciers, lakes, etc);and interrelations between water cycle, biomass andthe carbon cycle.The new Commission welcomes comments and individualstobeassociatedwith subcommissions and withworking groups. Further information may be obtainedfrom Professor K.J. Gregory, Department of Geography,University of Southampton, SO9 5NH, U.K.Modified from report of L. Starkel,Polish Academy of Sciencesin the DrakensberglWestern Cape mountains andlorwhetherthese mountains were glaciated. At the presenttime, studies regarding present-day, non-permafrostperiglacial processes are taking place in both theWestern Cape and the Drakensberg. Work undertakenoutside of southern Africa includes weathering andperiglacial studies in Antarctica and in Argentina.Report by Kevin Hall,University of Natal, South Africathe VI International Conference on Permafrost. Forfurther information contact Dr. Arvind Phukan, Schoolof Engineering, University of Alaska, 3221 ProvidenceAvenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99504.Frozen Ground

IJOURNALS AND BOOKSJOURNAL OF GLACIOLOGY AND GSOCRYOLOGYJournal of Glaciology and Geocryology (selected frozen ground titles)Volume 13, No. 1Improvement of Saline Soils in the Seasonally FrozenGround Regions; Qiu GuoqingChanges of the Permafrost Environment in Great XianRidges After Disastrous Forest Fire; Liang Linheng,Zhou Youwu, Wang Jiacheng and Gao XinwangHydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soil and ItsChanging Regularity in Saturated Soil After Freezing-Thawing Cycles; Deng Yousheng and Xu XiaozuCarbon Fixation and Glacial Epoch During GeologicalHistory; Wang ZimingSoil Wedge and Ice Wedge Pseudomorphs and TheirPaleoclirnatic Implications; Wang BaolaiThe Modertz Climatic Undulation and the Change ofCold und Warm in Recent 250 Years in Balikun Basin;Luo Geping and Yuan YujiangEffect of Glacier-Permafrost on Isotopic Formationand Sanlplitzg Method of 14C Dating; Gu Gongshu,Chen Huiqin and Zhang Hongwei.Interpreting the Permafrost Thickness with LoggingCurves; Wang XianlieVolume 13, No. 2The Distributive Characteristics of Frozen Ground inthe East of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau; Wang Shaoling,Luo Xiangrui and Guo PengfeiApproach to Genesis and Era of Clayey Gravel inGuilin; Kong Fanye, Zeng Huayan and Wu ShuimuPeriglacial Periods and Pleistocene Environment inWestern Mountains of Beijing, China; Guo Xudong,Yan Fuhua and Jin ZengxinExplanation of Electrical DC Resistivity Sounding atthe Headwaters of Urumqi River, Tianshan; ZengZhonggong and Qiu GuoqingBuried Humus Soil andsyngenetic Permafrost Aroundthe Daxigou Meteorological Station at the Source ofthe Urumqi River; Zhao Ling and Qiu GuoqingPermafrost and Periglacial ProcessesVolume 2, Issue No. 3Pentes, Granulometrie et Mobilite' des Materiaux leLong d'un Talus d'Eboulis en Milieu Alpin; FrancouAlpine Permafrost Temperature Zonality, NorthernTrans-Baikal Region, C7.S.S.R.; Romanovskii, Zaitev,Volchenko, Zagryazhan and SergeyevObservations of Aeolian Transport and Niveo-Aeolian Deposition at ThreehwlandSites, CanadianArctic Archaepelago; Lewkowicz and YoungIce-Wedge Casts of Wisconsin Age in Eastern Nebraska;WayneLocalisation, Ge'nPse et Fonte de Quelques Naleds duNord du Yukon; Lauriol, Cinq-Mars and Clark-18 Frozen Ground

Volume 2, Issue No. 4(Special Issue, provisional contents)Introduction; Hall and Lautridou.Model of Rate of Frost Shattering, Japan, Svalbardand Spitsbergen; MatsuokaFrost Heave Mechanism of Welded Tukk Rock; Akagawaand FukudaWeathering by Segregation Ice Growth in Microcracksat Subzero Temperatures; Hallett, Walders andStubbsRockProperties as Controls on Free Face Debris FullActivity; Douglas, Whalley and McGreevyMechanical Weathering Associated with SeasonalLate-Lying and Perennial Snowpatches, Joter7hrim.Norway; BenisfordFrost Weathering of Rocks in the Presetlce of Salt;Williams and RobinsonRock Moisture Duta from Juneau Icefields; HallEngineering Geology of the EarthThe book, Engineering Geology of the Earth, edited byW.R. Dearman, E.M. Sergeev and V.S. Shchakova1989, Nauka Publishers, was first proposed by AcademicianSergeev. Two of the 11 chapters are specificallydevoted to permafrost and include sections by: V.T.Trofinov, K.A. Kondratyeva, E.D. Ershov, N.I. Trush,B.A. Savelyev, V.V. Bauten and N.A. Oberrnan. Otherchapters are devoted to loess, continental shelves, andmountain regions. For further information on availabilityof this and related International Association ofEngineering Geology books, contact Secretary General,IAEG, c/o L.C.P.C., 58 Bd. Lefebvre, 75732Paris cedex 15 France.Polar Journals from CambridgePolar and Glaciological AbstractsPolar RecordPokr~dGlauologicalAbstradsisthefirstspecialistabstracting Polar Record is a crossdisciplinary journal covering both polar~ublicationtooffercom~rehenskecovera~eoftheI%eratureof renions and caterinn for a wide ranae of interests fromhe world's polar regions. Produced by th; library of the Scott an?hropology through archaeology, art, botany, history.Polar Research Institute (which has one of the largest polarlibrary and information services in the world), it providescomprehensive and convenient access to the rapldly growingbody of research and scholarship of all relevant disciplines. Itxans over 1000 series plus relevant books, reports and theses.geography, geology, glaciology, law, medicine, oceanography,politics, psychologymdsociology tozwlogy. Articlesand notesare authoritative but nowtechnical; some provide historicalperspective, others uptodate views on current pdar affairs andhappenings, or reports on recent exploration and research.Subscription Information: Volume 2 in 1991. Published inJanuary, April. July and October: £45 for instiins; f 35 forindividuals: airmall £14 per year extra ISW 0957 - 5073Subscription Information: Volume 27 in 1991. Published inJmuq, April, July and October: £48 for institutions; £32 forIndividuals; ainnail £ 17 per year extra ISSN 0032 - 2474-----------------------------------------Pkase send me further information and a free sample copy of:Polar and Glaclologkrl AbstractsNamePolar Recordmi. RmbdH.n LHl"Send to: Journals Marketing Department, Cambrldg University Press, FREEPOW. The Edinbur~h build in^,Cambridge CB2 IBR, ~ngland T& (0223) 325806 or FAX: (0223) 315052(' no postage stamp necessary if ported in UK) a-In US & Canada, write to Cambridge University Press, 40 West 20th Street, New York. NY 100714211, USA-Frozen Ground 19

GuidebooksGuidebooks (1-6) prepared for the IV Conference onPermafrost held in Alaska are still available. Other relatedpublications are still available andcan be obtainedfrom the Alaska Division of Geological and GeophysicalSurveys, 794 University Avenue, Basement, Fairbanks,Alaska 99709-3645, Phone: 907-474-7147.GB 1 Guidebook to Permafrost and QuaternaryGeology Along the Richardson and GlennHighways Between Fairbanks and Anchorage,Alaska, T.L. PCwC and R.D. Reger (Ed.), 1983,263 p., scale 1:250,000, 1 sheet. $7.50.GB 2 Guidebook to Permafrost andRelatedFeaturesof the Colville River Delta, H.J. Walker, 1983,34 p. $2.00.GB 3 Guidebook to Permafrost andRelatedFeaturesof the Northern Yukon Territory and MacKenzieDelta, Canada, H.M. French and J.A. Heginbottom(Ed.), 1983, 186 p. $8.50.GB 4 Guidebook to Permafrost and Related FeaturesAlong the Elliott and Dalton Highways,Fox to Prudhoe Bay, Jerry Brown and R.A.Kreig (Ed.), 1983,230 p. $7.50.GB 5 Guidebook to Permafrost and Related Featuresat Prudhoe Bay, S.E. Rawlinson (Ed.),1983, 150 p. $6.GB 6 Guidebook to Permafrost and EngineeringProblems Along the Alaska Railroad BetweenAnchorage and Fairbanks, T.C. Fuglestad,1986, 82 p., 2 sheets. $7.50.GB 7 Bedrock Geology of the Eastern KoyukukBasin, Central Brooks Range, and East-CentralArctic Slope Along the Dalton Highway,Yukon River to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, C.G.Mull and K.E. Adams (Ed.), 1928,2 vol., 309p., scale 1 : 125,000 and 1:2,85 1,200,2 sheets.$40.00.PERMAFROSTANDPERIGLACIAL PROCESSESEDITOR-IN-CHIEFProfgsor H.M. FrenchDcpanmerua of Geology andGeography. University of Otuwa,Ottawa. Ontario, Canada, KIN 6N5ASSOCIATE EDITORSProfessor E.A. Koster - GeographicalInrliutc, Universi~ of Utrecht,Heidelberglaan 2, $584 CS, Utrecht,The NethcrlandaProferror A. Piunri - Indilul deGeornorphologie et de Geologie duQuaternire, Univenile de LiCge, 7,Place du Vingt Adt, 4000 Liege,BelgiumEDITORIAL BOARDProfessor C.-D. CheagProfeuor A. DylikowaProfessor L. K iDr J.P. LPutridouDr D.E. LPwnProfewr J.R. MackayProfeuor Y. Om,Profeuor T.L. P&dProfeuor N.N. RommovdryProfeuor M. SeppUDr C.E. 'lbomProfeuor A.L. WnrhburnAIMS AND SCOPEPennofiost and Periglacial Procesres is an international journal dedicated to the rapidpublication of scient~fic and technical papers concerned with earth surface cryogenicprocesses, landforms and sediments present in a variety of (Sub) Arctic, Antarctic andHigh Mountain environments. It providw an efficient vehiclc of communicationamongst those with an interest in the cold, non-glacial gmscienccs. The focus is on (1)original research baaed on geomorphological, hydrological, sedimentological,geotechnical and cnginccring asp& of these areas and (2) original research camcd outupon relict features where the objective has been to reconstruct the nature of theprocessu andlor palamcnvironments which gave rise to these features, as opposed topurely stratigraphical considerations. Thc journal also publishes short communications,reviews, discussions and book reviews. The high scientific standard, interdisciplinarycharacter and worldwide representation of PPP are maintained by regional editorialsupport and a rigorous refereeing system.SUBSCRIPTION DETAILSVolume2 1991 Quarterly USS145.00Volume 3 1992 Quarterly USS165.00@rites include postage, pocking and handling charges worldwide)For a free sample copy andlor fuU details of this journal, please write lo either ofthe addresses bebwJulie MorganlPPP, John Wiey & Sons Ltd.,Baffms Lane, Chichestcr, Mst Sussex, PO19 IUD, EnglandSubscription Department C, John W~ley & Sons Inc.,605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158, USA 8WllEY20 Frozen Ground

Calendar of Recent and Forthcoming Meetings1992 Symposium on Remote Sensing of Snow and Ice17-22 May 1992, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.Contact: Secretary-General, International GlaciologicrllSociety, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 IER, U.K.Phone: 223-355974; Fax: 223-336543.Polartech '92: International Conference onDevelopment and Commercial Utilisation of PolarTechnologies in Polar Regions21-24 January 1992, Montreal, CanadaContact: Polartech '92 Secretariat, Conference Office,McGill University, Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal,H3A 3C5 Canada.Phone: (5 14) 398-3770; Fax: (5 14) 398-4854;Telex: 05-268510.22nd Arctic Workshop5-7 March 1992, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.Contact: John Andrews, INSTAAR, Campus Box 450,University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0450Phone: (303) 492-663 1 ; Fax: (303) 492-6388Classification of Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation5-9 March 1992, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A.Contact: Marilyn Walker, INSTAAR, Campus Box 450,University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0450Phone: (303) 492-5276; Fax: (303) 492-6388Role of Global Change in the Arctic21-26 April 1992, Reykjavik, IcelandContact: International Arctic Science Committee, Secretariat,P.O. Box 158, 1330 Oslo Airport, NorwayPhone: 47-2- 123 650; Telex: 74745 POLAR NFax: 47-2- 122 635;14th Polar Libraries Colloquy-International Sharingof Polar Information Resources3-8 May 1992, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.Contact: Lynn Lay, Byrd Polar Research Center, OhioState University, Columbus, Ohio 43210Phone: (614) 292-6715; Fax: (614) 292-4697Second Circumpolar Symposium on Remote Sensingof Arctic Environments4-6 May 1992, Tromsg, NorwayContact: Roald Amundsun Centre for Arctic Research,University of Tromsa, N-9000 Tromsa, NorwayPhone: 47 83 45 240; Fax: 47 83 80 705Impacts of Climate Change on Resource Managementof the North12-14 May 1992, Whitehorse, Yukon Territories,CanadaContact: Al Malin Auska, Canadian Climate Centre, 4905Dufferin St., Dowsview, Ontario M3H 5T4, CanadaPhone: (416) 739-4431; Fax: (416) 739-4380Second (1992) International Offshore and PolarEngineering Conference14-19 June 1992, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.Contact: ISOPE, P.O. Box 1107, Golden, Colorado80402- 1 107Phone: (303) 273-3673; Fax: (303) 420-3760Permafrost and Periglacial Environments inMountain Areas-International Workshop1-3 August 1992Pre-Workshop Field Trip: Permafrost and PeriglacialLandforms, Mountains of Southwest Alberta27-3 1 July 1992Post-Workshop Field Trip: Periglacial Featurcs in theNorthern Rocky Mountains of the U.S.A.4-7 August 1992Contact: S.A. Harris. Department of Geography, Universityof Calgary, Alberta T2N 1 N4, CanadaPhone: (403) 720-5584IGU Pre-Congress Field Trip1-7 August 1992, Indian Peaks, Colorado, U.S.A.Contact: Colin Thorn, Dept. of Geography, University ofIllinois, 607 South Mathews 220, Urbana, Illinois 61808,U.S. AIPA Council Meetings6-8 August 1992, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.(Other IPA committees and working groups to meetlocationsto be announced in June 1992 News Bulletin)27th Congress of the International GeographicalUnion9-14 August 1992, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.Contact: Anthony R. de Sousa, Secretary-General, 27thInternational Geographical Congress, 1145 17th StreetNW, Washington, D.C. 20036, U.S.A.Phone: (202) 828-6688; Fax: (202) 775-6141Telex: 64194IGU Post-Congress Field Trip14-18 August 1992, Central Appalachians, U.S.A.Contact: G. Michael Clark, Department of GeologicalSciences, 306 G&G Building, University of Tennessee,Knoxville, Tennessee 37996- 1410, U.S.A.Phone: (6 15) 974-6006; Fax: (6 15) 974-2368Frozen Ground