Short term climate measurements and permafrost and soil moisture content of coastal mountain zones: Coombs Hills, Convoy Range and Asgard Range

Permafrost and soil moisture properties were measured at 15 sites in the Coombs Hills and Northwind Glacier and from 2 additional sites in the Asgard Range and the lower Barwick Valley to determine the permafrost properties of coastal mountain zone soils and the degree of spatial variability in Antarctic permafrost. Sampling was by means of soil investigation pits and by core drilling where ice cemented permafrost was present. Short term climate measurements were also made including incoming and reflected radiation, wind speed and direction, soil temperature and heat flux. All field samples collected were oven dried and gravimetric water content, particle size, bulk density and thermal conductivity was calculated.