Climatogenic dynamics of solifluction in the permafrost zone of central Siberia

Abstract

Landsliding dynamics during recent decades within larch-dominant permafrost zone of Mid Siberia was analyzed. Studies were based on high and medium resolution data (QuickBird, WorldView, Landsat) and gravimetric measurements (GRACE). The landsliding occurrence increased since 2006 yr. Landsliding were located on southwest and southeast slopes only, and its number exponentially increased with slope steepness increase. The elevation limit of the landslides corresponded to the upper tree line. Landslides occurrence correlated with August precipitation (R 2 = 0.6) and drought index (SPEI: R 2 = 0.49), and with June-July-August gravimetric data (equivalent water thickness anomalies, EWTA: R 2 = 0.47–0.49). SPEI and EWTA are correlated (R 2 = 0.38). The significant increase of temporal divergence between maximal and minimal values of EWTA was observed.