Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, Vol. 5: 199-215 (1994) zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJ Ground Temperature and Related Permaf rost Characteristics in West Greenland zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA Frank G. M. van Tatenhove Fysisch Geografisch en Bodemkundig Laboratorium, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130, 1018 VZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Ole B. Olesen Grenlands Geologisk Undersegelse, 0ster Voldgade 10, DK-135O Kobenhavn K, Danmark ABSTRACT Shallow and surficial ground temperatures in west Greenland are presented and reviewed together with available deep temperature profiles in the unglaciated area of west and south- west Greenland. Ground temperature measurements in Kangerlussuaq (Sendro Strernf jord) reveal a temperature at the depth of zero annual amplitude, T ZAA, of -1.6 ± 0.2 °C. The average thickness of the active layer is 1. 7 m and the permafrost thickness is estimated to be 127 ± 31 m. The permafrost thickness in Sisimiut (Holsteinborg) is esti- mated to be 33 ± 9 m with T ZAA at -0.3 ± 0.1 °C. In Sisimiut, the average active layer thickness is 2.3 m. Between Kangerlussuaq and the ice sheet margin, permafrost is con- tinuous and the active layer thickness is between 0.15 and 5.0 m. The interactions between geomorphology, wind pattern, snowcover characteristics and paths of snow meltwater play an important role in determining the variability in ground temperature and permafrost thickness over short distances. The distribution and redistribution of available water are especially important in the low-precipitation area near the ice margin in central west Greenland. Therefore soil temperatures tend to be colder in low-lying, organic-rich soils with dense vegetation than in sandy, inorganic soils with discontinuous vegetation. Within a west Greenland perspective, ground temperature in Sisimiut is relatively warm and in Kangerlussuaq relatively cold owing to their respectively more oceanic and continental climatic regimes. RÉSUMÉ Des températures du sol mesurées en surface et à faible profondeur sant présentées et con- sidérées en même temps que des profils de température profonde dans des régions non couvertes des glace de l'ouest et du sud-ouest du Groenland. Au niveau oü se localise une variation annuelle nulle (Izaa), la ternpérature du sol à Kangerlussuaq (Sendre Stremf jord) est de -1.6 °C zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA (± 0.2 °C). L'épaisseur moyenne de la couche active est en eet endroit de 1,7 m et l'épaisseur du pergélisol est estimée à 127 (± 31) m. L'épaisseur du pergélisol à Sisimiut (Holsteinborg) est estimée à 33 (± 9) m, et l'épaisseur moyenne de la couche active à 2,30 m. Entre Kanger- lussuaq et la bordure de la calotte glaciaire, le pergélisol est continu et l'épaisseur de la couche active est comprise entre 0,15 m et 5,0 m. Les interactions entre la géomorphologie, la CCC 1045-6740/94/040199-17 © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received 18 April 1994 Accepted 1 September 1994