PERMAFROST AGE AND THICKNESS AT MOSKUSLAGOON, SPITSBERGEN

Permafrost thickness in the Adventfjorden area of Spitsbergen was estimated, and the age of permafrost occurrence was estimated based on the permafrost thickness. At the Adventdalen area, there was no pre-existing permafrost under the sea bottom and permafrost thickness is interpreted to reflect the duration of exposure to the subaerial temperature regime. Permafrost thickness was estimated to be 31.7 m for Moskuslagoon. A numerical calculation indicated that the time required to form permafrost with a thickness of 31.7 m is 533 years. This age appears to be reasonable compared to the age of 240±50 yr B.P derived from the radiocarbon dating of sediments.