Start Date
2014 12:00 AM
Abstract
An abandoned auto tunnel in south central Alaska in an elevation of 118 m above sea level seemed to be a perfect laboratory for studying the evolution of ice speleothems in a yearly cycle. More than 1,500 ice forms like stalagmites, stalactites, columns in various shape and arrangements, developed in just 2 month to a high up to 6 meters and lasted for another 5 to 6 month. In October just the remains of the melted ice in rings and rectangular patterns of a white powder could be found. Unfortunately the mostly sealed tunnel was opened in January 2014 by melt water stream which was redirected by a huge avalanche.
The perfect “ice cave conditions” were destroyed abruptly (HOLLANDER & THERIAULT, 2014; NASA; 2014a).
Andreas Pflitsch
Included in
Climate Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Geology Commons, Geomorphology Commons, Meteorology Commons
Climate Study In An Abandoned Auto Tunnel In Alaska, Usa
An abandoned auto tunnel in south central Alaska in an elevation of 118 m above sea level seemed to be a perfect laboratory for studying the evolution of ice speleothems in a yearly cycle. More than 1,500 ice forms like stalagmites, stalactites, columns in various shape and arrangements, developed in just 2 month to a high up to 6 meters and lasted for another 5 to 6 month. In October just the remains of the melted ice in rings and rectangular patterns of a white powder could be found. Unfortunately the mostly sealed tunnel was opened in January 2014 by melt water stream which was redirected by a huge avalanche.
The perfect “ice cave conditions” were destroyed abruptly (HOLLANDER & THERIAULT, 2014; NASA; 2014a).
