It is important to develop methods to characterize the evolution of melt feature area as thermodynamic sea-ice models have shown sensitivity to variables associated with surface ponding. In this paper, we present field data and analysis relating avalanche terrain variables and avalanche runout for 46 high-frequency avalanche paths. Most previous studies of this nature have been concerned with the location of extreme runout for return periods of order 100 yr. Our analysis also indicates that the dimensionless measure of avalanche extreme runout, the runout ratio, approximates a Gumbel distribution, consistent with previous results. Dead moss material is the source of fresh organic matter for soil formation in the Pergelic Cryohemist.
Polysaccharides are the primary organic compounds.
This composition is very similar to that of litter from peat soils in temperate climate regions. In addition protein and alkyl carbon are found in the mosses, whereas in contrast to temperate climate zones lignin was of minor importance. The alkyl compounds consist of lipids, fatty acids, and sterols. A high amount of carboxyl groups probably develops from fatty acids and proteins and the aromatic structures mainly from aromatic amino acids. Carbohydrates are less mineralized than under temperate climate conditions.