Swiss scientists develop new method for measuring permafrost
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Swiss scientists develop new method for measuring permafrost
Scientists in the Swiss city of Fribourg have developed a new method to measure permafrost using electrical resistance. This could improve our ability to predict rockfalls and landslides.
Traditional methods involve drilling holes up to a hundred metres deep and measuring the ground temperature. However, this process is both complex and expensive, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) explained on Tuesday.
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“What’s more, we can only record temperatures at specific points and can’t infer anything about the volume of ice,” adds Christian Hauck from the University of Fribourg.
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Loss of permafrost – a global cause for concern
With his team, he has helped develop a method for measuring permafrost over large areas and assessing the ice volume, which allows for predictions about future changes.
Scientists pass a direct current through two electrodes in the soil and measure its electrical resistivity. The method is detailed in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
Translated from French by DeepL/sp
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