1420 Naismith Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045

“The Influence of a Warming Climate on Groundwater Flow in Northern Landscapes” The investigation of groundwater flow systems in northern landscapes is particularly challenging due to the remote and inaccessible nature of the terrain, severe climatic conditions and the unique characteristics of the subsurface. Warming climatic conditions in the north is leading to an accelerated degradation of permafrost resulting in the creation or enlargement of groundwater flow pathways, enhancing the hydraulic connection between deep and shallow groundwater flow systems and the terrestrial surface.  Conventional investigative techniques such as drilling and monitoring well installation are generally not feasible, due to the expense associated with reaching remote areas. A series of remote sensing techniques combined with portable terrestrial monitoring surveys are proposed and applied as a method to map characterizing groundwater flow conditions and delineating permafrost occurrence in the shallow subsurface. Low elevation Infrared (IR) helicopter survey data were used to identify smaller scale groundwater discharge locations.  Airborne electromagnetic surveys, integrated with terrestrial ERT data, were used to map the geometry of permafrost at a regional scale. The combined data sets provide insight into the nature of groundwater flow systems in these complex discontinuous permafrost environments.

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