Outside the Alps, the Sierra Nevada is probably the best studied European massif with respect to its past and current environmental dynamics. A multi‐approach research program started in the early 2000s focused on the monitoring of frozen ground conditions in this National Park. Here, we present data on the thermal state and distribution of permafrost and seasonal frozen ground in different sites across the highest areas of the massif. New results confirm the absence of widespread permafrost conditions, with seasonal frost prevailing above 2500 m. Small permafrost patches have been only detected in glaciated areas of the Veleta and Mulhacen cirques during the Little Ice Age at elevations of 3000–3100 m. The remnants of those glaciers are still preserved under the thick debris layer covering the cirque floors. Geomatic and geophysical surveying of a rock glacier existing in the Veleta cirque, together with the monitoring of soil temperature at different depths, have revealed permanently frozen conditions undergoing a process of degradation. In the rest of the massif, a seasonal frost regime prevails, even at the highest plateaus at 3300–3400 m, where annual soil temperatures average 2.5°C. The monitoring of soil temperatures in other different periglacial features has also revealed positive average values ranging between 2°C (inactive sorted‐circles) and 3–4°C (inactive and weakly active solifluction lobes). Consequently, we conclude that the present‐day climatic regime does not allow the existence of permafrost in the Sierra Nevada, and environmental dynamics is controlled by the intensity and duration of seasonal frost in the ground.

中文翻译：

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监测 2001 年至 2016 年内华达山脉（西班牙）的永久冻土和冰缘过程

在阿尔卑斯山之外，就过去和现在的环境动态而言，内华达山脉可能是研究得最好的欧洲地块。2000 年代初开始了一项多方法研究计划，重点是监测该国家公园的冻土条件。在这里，我们提供了有关地块最高区域不同地点永久冻土和季节性冻土的热状态和分布的数据。新的结果证实没有广泛的永久冻土条件，季节性霜冻在 2500 m 以上盛行。在小冰河时期，仅在海拔 3000-3100 m 的 Veleta 和 Mulhacen cirques 冰川区发现了小的永久冻土斑块。这些冰川的残余物仍然保存在覆盖着圆形剧场地板的厚厚的碎屑层下。对存在于 Veleta cirque 中的岩石冰川进行地理和地球物理测量，以及对不同深度的土壤温度的监测，揭示了正在经历退化过程的永久冻结条件。在地块的其余部分，即使在 3300-3400 m 的最高高原，年平均土壤温度为 2.5°C，季节性霜冻也盛行。对其他不同冰缘特征的土壤温度的监测也显示出正平均值介于 2°C（非活动分选圈）和 3-4°C（非活动和弱活动的流动裂片）之间。因此，我们得出结论，目前的气候状况不允许内华达山脉存在永久冻土，并且环境动态受地面季节性霜冻的强度和持续时间的控制。