Researchers from the Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics have introduced a groundbreaking approach to tracking permafrost conditions. The team, led by AA Trofimuka of SB RAS, has pioneered a measurement technique that relies on pulsed electromagnetic sounding. This method promises to deliver more precise insights than traditional thermal monitoring and offers a clear path to observing how permafrost dynamics evolve over time. The development has been reported by TASS in reference to an official SB RAS publication, Science in Siberia, and marks a noteworthy advance in northern geoscience.
The core idea is to periodically emit short electromagnetic pulses and monitor how these signals propagate through rock formations. The key observation is that frozen and thawed states of rocks alter electrical resistance in distinct ways. The sensors themselves are robust to ambient temperature changes, focusing instead on how the rocks conduct electricity. Because electrical resistance is temperature influenced yet responds differently to phase changes of the material, the method can discriminate between frozen and thawed states with high sensitivity.
Field tests were conducted at geophysical test sites located in the Novosibirsk region to validate the prototype equipment. The experiments demonstrated strong performance, with the measurement systems capturing clear signals and delivering reliable readings under real-world conditions. The results indicate that the new approach can reliably map permafrost boundaries and monitor transitions, providing a tool for ongoing surveillance of permafrost dynamics in Arctic and subarctic environments. The research team notes that the technique holds promise for improving risk assessment related to permafrost degradation, infrastructure planning, and climate impact studies. In addition to its immediate practical benefits, the method contributes to a deeper understanding of subsurface processes in perennially cold regions. The findings are summarized in the official SB RAS publication, Science in Siberia, and are cited as a significant step forward in cold-region geology and geophysics. [citation: SB RAS, Science in Siberia]