Ground Ice and Landforms of the Yenisei Gulf Coastal Plains and Adjacent Parts of the Byrranga Mountains

The Yenisei Gulf is located in Arctic Russia in the area of continuous low-temperature permafrost. Cryogenic processes in this region created a unique set of geomorphic features characteristic of the permafrost landscape. Large deposits of ground ice are important features of the Quaternary sediment exposures along the coasts of the Yenisei Gulf. Tabular Massive Ground Ice (TMGI) and Ground Ice Wedges (GIW) are unique natural formations that are common in the area. The TMGI thickness can reach up to 50 m and have a length of hundreds of meters. The GIW can be 12 m deep with upper parts that are 3 m thick. Ground ice is commonly located close to the surface. The presence of bodies of various types of ground ice and ice-rich sediments makes permafrost in the region extremely vulnerable to warming climate or changing surface conditions, such as snow redistribution, vegetation change and human disturbances. Melting of ground ice leads to the development of thermokarst and erosion. Giant thermal cirques, gullies and landslides are developing on slopes, while thermokarst lakes are formed on flat topographic surfaces on ice-rich permafrost. The article discusses the role of ground ice and cryogenic processes in the development of the modern relief in the northern part of Russia.