Articles | Volume 30, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-3121-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-3121-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
21 May 2026
Research article |
| 21 May 2026
| 21 May 2026
Hydrogeological characterization of alpine karst using the transient analysis of flow and transport
Sara Lilley
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
Taylor Geotechnical Ltd., Canmore, Alberta, T1W 1P6, Canada
Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
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Gerardo Zegers, Masaki Hayashi, and Rodrigo Pérez-Illanes
The Cryosphere, 19, 4091–4112, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4091-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4091-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This research showed that airflow within sediment accumulations promotes cooling and sustains mountain permafrost. By enhancing a numerical model, we showed that natural air movement, driven by temperature differences between sediments and external air, allows permafrost to survive. Our work aids in predicting where and how permafrost exists, which is essential for understanding its role in mountain water systems and its response to climate change.
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Short summary
Alpine karst springs are important for providing year-around baseflow in mountain streams and sustaining fragile aquatic ecosystems. In this study the hydrogeology of a previously unexplored alpine karst system is characterized using diverse methods including the analysis of snowmelt-driven, diel fluctuations of spring discharge and electrical conductivity. The approach developed here will be transferrable to similar alpine karst systems in snow-dominated environments.
Alpine karst springs are important for providing year-around baseflow in mountain streams and...
