The assessment of potential geotechnical hazards associated with mountain permafrost in a warming global climate

European mountain permafrost is generally only a few degrees below zero Cel sius, and may therefore be highly sensitive to climate change. Permafrost d egradation may lead to thaw settlement and reduction in the stability of mo untain slopes. Engineering projects within the high mountain zone require c areful investigations of potential permafrost-related hazards. This paper s ummarizes a staged approach to such investigations. Phase 1 involves walkov er site survey supported by a desk study to define potential permafrost haz ard zones. Data from permafrost distribution maps, topographic and geologic al maps are integrated, preferably using GIS methodology. If permafrost is possible and is judged to pose a significant threat to the development, pha se 2 investigations are recommended whereby field thermal measurements, dri lling of exploratory boreholes, and geophysical surveys are undertaken to c larify permafrost characteristics. The resulting data set should form an im portant component in subsequent engineering design. On a larger scale, a si milar approach should be adopted as part of land-use planning within the mo untain permafrost zone. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.