Application of DC resistivity soundings and geomorphological surveys in studies of modern Arctic glacier marginal zones, Petuniabukta, Spitsbergen

DC resistivity soundings and geomorphological surveys have been carried out in the marginal zones and adjacent outwash plains of two glaciers in central Spitsbergen, Nor− wegian Arctic: Ebbabreen and Horbyebreen. The study has revealed complex relationships between landforms, buried glacier ice and permafrost. From this work it is possible to dis− tinguish between moraine ridges which are ice−cored and those which are not. The latter oc− cur in areas which have possibly been affected by glacier surge. The active layer thickness was found to be 0.4 to 2.5 m for diamicton deposits (moraines) and 0.3 to 1.6 m in outwash glacifluvial sediments. The sediment infill thickness in valleys was determined to be as much as 20 m, thereby demonstrating that sandurs have important role in sediment storage in a glacial system. Typical resistivity values for sediment types in both the active layer and in permafrost were also determined. Key wor ds: Arctic, Spitsbergen, DC resistivity sounding, permafrost, glacial geomor− phology.