CRYOKARST

cryokarst: translation

   1. A non-karstic term. Land surface with closed depression (usually small and shallow) formed by alternate freezing and thawing of permafrost or ground-ice overlying different rock, including limestone. The term ‘cryokarst’ is more common in Europe while the term ‘thermokarst’ is used in America [20].

   2. A karst-like periglacial, or formerly periglacial, landscape superimposed upon unconsolidated, superficial deposits. Cryokarst is characterized by small depressions or pits that develop due to settlement of overlying deposits into voids formed by the melting of entrapped ice.

   Also known as thermokarst [9].

   Synonyms: (French.) cryokarst, thermokarst; (German.) Thermokarst, Cryokarst; (Greek.) thermokarst; (Italian.) criocarsismo; (Russian.) temokarst, criokarst; (Spanish.) criokarst, thermokarst; (Turkish.) don karst2; (Yugoslavian.) toplotni krs \#,!!! temokarst.