The Stability of Thawing Slopes

Abstract

As a result of recent field exploration and study in the Mackenzie River Valley between Fort Simpson and Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., coupled with a review of the periglacial literature it is evident that thaw plays an important role in a wide range of landslide types associated with permafrost.This study seeks first to present a description of the most common types of thaw-dominated landslide forms. Within this descriptive framework two important mass movement models, the thaw–consolidation model and the ablation model are considered. Available case records are reviewed in relation to the landslide types and other failure mechanisms are briefly considered.