Permafrost of the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, eastern and southeastern Europe

Abstract

Analysis of freezing and thawing indices indicates that climatic conditions sufficient for permafrost development occur at heights of 1930 m asl in the Tatra Mountains (Poland, 49°N), 2000 m asl in the south Carpathian Mountains (Romania, 45°N), and 2300 m asl in the Balkans (Bulgaria, 42°N). Extrapolation suggests that conditions suitable for permafrost may also exist at altitudes of 2700 m asl in the Olympus Mountains (Greece, 39–40°N). In the High Tatra, permafrost may exist as both relict Pleistocene permafrost and contemporary permafrost. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.