Water Flows in Rock Wall Permafrost: A Numerical Approach Coupling Hydrological and Thermal Processes

Rock wall permafrost is highly sensitive to atmospheric warming. Its degradation regarded as a primary factor accounting for the recent increase in periglacial rock slope failures. Investigations of have so far ignored hydrological processes acting bedrock fractures. We propose 2-D coupled thermal and modeling approach applied alpine permafrost. Simulations are carried out on scale mountain flank four case studies with variable saturation levels forcings. Results show that cold water infiltration from summit leads deeper body than no flows. Ice-filled fractures first delay thawing due latent heat consumption but then accelerate it when ice starts melt. Ice may thus subsist surrounded by thawed while corridors form embedded frozen bedrock. As result, temperature gradients made steeper. When connected thaw, bottom-up can occur through upward propagation wedges delineated these High hydraulic head values associated formation perched tables above or within impermeable body, correspond hydrostatic pressures could reach critical terms stability. The proposed model setting more appropriate investigating long-term changes, dynamics hydrogeology across entire flanks, be finer spatial investigate short-term response climate signals destabilization.