Thermal erosion is a major mechanism of permafrost degradation, resulting in characteristic landforms. We inventory thermo‐erosional valleys in ice‐rich coastal lowlands adjacent to the Siberian Laptev Sea based on remote sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), and field investigations for a first regional assessment of their spatial distribution and characteristics. Three study areas with similar geological (Yedoma Ice Complex) but diverse geomorphological conditions vary in valley areal extent, incision depth, and branching geometry. The most extensive valley networks are incised deeply (up to 35 m) into the broad inclined lowland around Mamontov Klyk. The flat, low‐lying plain forming the Buor Khaya Peninsula is more degraded by thermokarst and characterized by long valleys of lower depth with short tributaries. Small, isolated Yedoma Ice Complex remnants in the Lena River Delta predominantly exhibit shorter but deep valleys. Based on these hydrographical network and topography assessments, we discuss geomorphological and hydrological connections to erosion processes. Relative catchment size along with regional slope interact with other Holocene relief‐forming processes such as thermokarst and neotectonics. Our findings suggest that thermo‐erosional valleys are prominent, hitherto overlooked permafrost degradation landforms that add to impacts on biogeochemical cycling, sediment transport, and hydrology in the degrading Siberian Yedoma Ice Complex.

中文翻译：

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西伯利亚富冰多年冻土的热侵蚀谷

热侵蚀是多年冻土退化的主要机制，导致形成独特的地形。我们根据遥感，地理信息系统（GIS）和野外调查，对与西伯利亚拉普捷夫海相邻的冰层丰富的沿海低地的热侵蚀山谷进行了盘点，以对其空间分布和特征进行首次区域评估。三个研究区域具有相似的地质条件（Yedoma Ice Complex），但是不同的地貌条件在山谷的面积，切口深度和分支几何形状方面有所不同。最广泛的山谷网络被深切（长达35 m）切入Mamontov Klyk周围的广阔倾斜低地。热喀斯特地貌使形成Buor Khaya半岛的平坦低洼平原更加恶化，其特征是低深度的长谷和短支流。小，勒纳河三角洲的孤立的Yedoma Ice Complex残余物主要显示较短但较深的山谷。在这些水文网络和地形评估的基础上，我们讨论了地貌和水文与侵蚀过程的联系。相对流域规模以及区域坡度与其他全新世浮雕形成过程（例如热岩溶和新构造）相互作用。我们的发现表明，热侵蚀谷是突出的，迄今被忽略的永久冻土退化地貌，对退化西伯利亚Yedoma冰综合体的生物地球化学循环，沉积物运输和水文学产生了更大的影响。我们讨论了侵蚀过程的地貌和水文联系。相对流域规模以及区域坡度与其他全新世浮雕形成过程（例如热岩溶和新构造）相互作用。我们的发现表明，热侵蚀谷是突出的，迄今被忽略的多年冻土退化地貌，对退化西伯利亚Yedoma冰综合体的生物地球化学循环，沉积物运输和水文学产生了更大的影响。我们讨论了侵蚀过程的地貌和水文联系。相对流域规模以及区域坡度与其他全新世浮雕形成过程（例如热岩溶和新构造）相互作用。我们的发现表明，热侵蚀谷是突出的，迄今被忽略的永久冻土退化地貌，对退化西伯利亚Yedoma冰综合体的生物地球化学循环，沉积物运输和水文学产生了更大的影响。