Permafrost Active Layer Thickness from Ground-Penetrating Radar

NASA's dataset provides estimates of permafrost Active Layer Thickness (ALT) and associated uncertainties from the Alaska North Slope near Toolik Lake and Happy Valley. Measurements were collected in August 2014 using ground-penetrating radar along 10 transects, supplemented by traditional mechanical probing. This data supports analysis of ALT variation across large geological features like hills, valleys, wetlands, and drained lake basins.

Use Cases

• Analyzing spatial variability of ALT across different terrain types (hills, valleys, wetlands).
• Comparing modern GPR-derived ALT estimates with traditional mechanical probe measurements.
• Modeling permafrost thaw dynamics and its connection to local geology and hydrology.
• Validating remote sensing or model-based estimates of active layer thickness with ground-truthed data.

Strengths

• Data combines two measurement methods: ground-penetrating radar and traditional mechanical probing.
• Covers 10 transects with lengths ranging from approximately 1 to 7 kilometers, providing spatial context.
• Includes calculated uncertainties for the GPR-derived ALT estimates.

Limitations

• Conflicting last updated dates exist between sources (2014-08-15 on NASA Earthdata vs. 2026-03 12 on Data.gov).
• Specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided by any source.
• Data is from a single field campaign in August 2014, limiting temporal analysis.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Field measurements using ground-penetrating radar and mechanical probing.

Time Range

2014-08

Freshness

2014-08-15

Geography

North Slope of Alaska, near Toolik Lake and Happy Valley.