Morphology and Environmental Factors of Periglacial Hummocks in the Nemuro Peninsula, Northern Japan

Abstract

Morphology of hummocky patterned ground (hummocks) reflects various physiographic factors such as frost conditions, surface gradient and hydrological environments. Hummocks in a seasonally frozen mire in the Nemuro peninsula include two types in terms of the presence of live sedgy-tussock. Sedged forms (Type Y) concentrate in a waterlogged condition, while sedge-free forms (Type T) are densely or sparsely distributed in a shallow (including waterlogged) or deep groundwater condition, respectively. Morphometric analyses indicate the contrast between high and horizontally circular Type Y hummocks, and wide and vertically half-circular (flatter) Type T hummocks. The distribution and geometry imply that the waterlogged condition promotes hummock development by differential frost penetration (cryoturbation) in combination with deep seasonal frost and sedge-controlled uneven vegetation. The hummock development produces a thermal contrast between the apex and the depression, which enhances differential frost heave. Assisted by flat terrain, these processes produce closely-spaced high hummocks, up to 52cm in height. These results demonstrate that relatively large hummocks intensively occur even in a climatically marginal region for periglacial hummocks (mean annual air temperature=6°C), where flat and waterlogged mire environments with deep seasonal frost enhance periglacial processes.