DOI/Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost borehole array is used to monitor the thermal state of the underlying permafrost. This is the largest array of deep boreholes in the world currently available for monitoring the thermal state of permafrost.
DOI is developing a long-term permafrost monitoring network on federal lands in northern Alaska as part of the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P) and the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). DOI/GTN-P consists of two subnetworks: 1) a network of 15 automated surface stations, and 2) a 20-element deep borehole array.
The surface stations continuously monitor changes in permafrost active-layer as well as a number of other climate parameters, including: permafrost temperature, soil moisture, snow depth, air temperature, wind speed and direction, up- and downwelling shortwave radiation, albedo, and cloudiness. A portion of the surface network is now available in near real-time through radio telemetry. Vegetation changes are coincidentally monitored at these sites.
The borehole array is used to monitor the thermal state of the underlying permafrost. This is the largest array of deep boreholes in the world currently available for monitoring the thermal state of permafrost. Many of the surface stations are co-located with deep boreholes, effectively forming "permafrost observatories."
In conjunction with DOI/GTN-P, we are developing models for synthesizing climate observations and for investigating how the cryosphere responds to climate change. These models will improve existing predictive capabilities for DOI lands.
Study variables monitored: changes in permafrost active-layer as well as a number of other climate parameters, including: permafrost temperature, soil moisture, snow depth, air temperature, wind speed and direction, up- and downwelling shortwave radiation, albedo, and cloudiness.
