Borehole permafrost data, Kumtor and Taragai Valleys, Tienshan, Kazakhstan, Version 1
Data set id:
GGD499
DOI: 10.7265/wp0n-8e23
This is the most recent version of these data.

Overview

This dataset includes observations of the permafrost temperatures in the Inner Tien Shan were started in 1986 by Kazakhstan Alpine Permafrost Laboratory. Observations are carried out on more than 40 boreholes, at altitudes between 3300-4200 m. The depths of the boreholes vary from 30 to 600 m. The boreholes are located in both loose (moraines) sediments and bedrock. Several boreholes are situated in the territory of the 'Kumtor' goldmine. The geocryological conditions of goldmine 'Kumtor' and nearby territory have been discussed in scientific reports 1988, 1989 and articles (see references). Two boreholes were drilled in body of glacier 'Davydov' and located in the central and lateral parts of the glacier (depth - 30 m). A third borehole passed through the glacier, moraine and bedrock to a depth of 600 m. In the Kumtor and Taragai valleys, permafrost temperature in 14 boreholes from 25 to 50 m depth, between 3300-3750 m ASL were observed. The distance between outermost boreholes is about 40 km. Temperature measurements in 9 geological prospecting adits [tunnels] (lengthwise 1500-1900 m) located in the four neighboring valleys (altitudes from 3920 to 4010 m) were carried out. At the same sites, but in natural conditions, the thermal conductivity of the bedrock was determined by the cylindrical sounding method. Grain size, soil moisture content, cryogenic structure and depth of seasonal thaw were also obtained from 15 pits located in differing altitudinal levels and exposures. At two further sites, ground temperatures measurements at depths of 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 cm were taken every hour during daylight hours every 5 days over a two year period. Air temperature, wind velocity and duration of daylight were measured at the same time as the ground temperature measurements. These data are presented on the CAPS Version 1.0 CD-ROM, June 1998.
Parameter(s):
ACTIVE LAYERAIR TEMPERATURECRYOSOLSPERMAFROSTSOIL MOISTURE/WATER CONTENTSOIL STRUCTURESOIL TEMPERATURESURFACE WINDSTHERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
Platform(s):
Not Specified
Sensor(s):
Not Specified
Data Format(s):
ASCII
Temporal Coverage:
23 February 1974 to 23 February 1995
23 February 1974 to 14 March 1995
13 August 1974 to 12 August 1992
25 March 1980 to 29 March 1995
29 November 1986 to 18 January 1992
14 December 1986 to 17 January 1992
Temporal Resolution:
Not Specified
Spatial Resolution:
  • Not Specified
Spatial Coverage:
N:
41.933
S:
41.65
E:
78.233
W:
77.817
Blue outlined yellow areas on the map below indicate the spatial coverage for this data set.

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