Chapter 13 - Periglacial Processes and Landforms in the Critical Zone

The periglacial landscape is not represented within the current definition of the Critical Zone. This zone encompasses all processes taking place from base of the aquifer to the top of the canopy. This chapter will describe the geomorphological processes and resulting landforms that occur throughout the periglacial, and describe the relationship with the Critical Zone. Processes, including mass movement, hydrological activity, and frost action, result in various landforms that alter the Critical Zone. We argue that the Critical Zone definition must include the periglacial environment to have a complete representation of Earth. We demonstrate that humans and a changing climate are accelerating local and global changes within the Critical Zone, which results in a rapidly changing periglacial environment. It is, therefore, essential to understand complex interactions within the periglacial realm of the Critical Zone to determine ways to sustain this unique landscape.