ANTHROPOGENIC GEOMORPHOLOGY IN NORTHERN ALASKA

Two classes of anthropogenic landforms can be recognized in the permafrost environment of northern Alaska. Primary anthropogenic landforms result from the operation of natural geomorphic processes on man-made features such as roads or gravel berms. Secondary anthropogenic forms are identical to natural geomorphic features, but evolve as indirect consequences of human actions. The first group is illustrated by a badly thermokarsted road, which has caused serious drainage disruptions likely to persist over a long time period. Secondary forms are exemplified by fields of palsa-like features, which are common where pipeline-related construction activities or structures cause shallow ponding. Because they evolve rapidly, anthropogenic permafrost landforms can provide great insight into the development of natural periglacial features.