- 1University of Fribourg, Alpine Cryosphere and Geomorphology, Department of Geosciences, Fribourg, Switzerland (martin.hoelzle@unifr.ch)
- *A full list of authors appears at the end of the abstract
Climate change poses a significant challenge to humanity, with its global repercussions threatening economies and livelihoods for future generations. Developing effective strategies to enhance climate resilience through adaptation requires reliable baseline data, including climate observations and the Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) identified by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). However, substantial gaps persist in the global climate observing system, especially in high-altitude mountain regions. This issue is particularly pronounced in developing countries, where baseline data is either lacking or at risk to be continued, therefore also increasing uncertainty about the impacts of climate change. Such information is crucial for predicting future changes and devising appropriate adaptation strategies.
Climate change in the mountainous regions of Central Asia significantly affects water resources and increases the frequency and intensity of natural hazards. To address these challenges, the Cryospheric Observation and Modelling for Improved Adaptation in Central Asia (CROMO-ADAPT) project has focused on closing data gaps and strengthening cryospheric monitoring systems, including snow, glaciers, and permafrost. As part of this initiative, new permafrost boreholes have been installed across Central Asia.
Three boreholes, each approximately 30 meters deep, were drilled at sites in Kazakhstan (Zholsalykezen Pass), Kyrgyzstan (Akshiirak), and Tajikistan (Uy Bulak Pass). All boreholes confirmed permafrost conditions and are continuously monitored. Recorded temperatures at 20 m depth are approximately -0.17°C in Kazakhstan, -1.6°C in Kyrgyzstan, and -1.1°C in Tajikistan. Additionally, geophysical surveys have been conducted at these locations and are compared with the borehole data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of permafrost conditions.
Martin Hoelzle1, Sergey Marchenko2†, Tomas Saks1, Andreas Hasler5, Christin Hilbich1, Tamara Mathys1, Muslim Azimshoev8, Martina Barandun1, Dominik Amschwand11, Erlan Azisov3, Mikhail Borisov3, Khusrav Kabutov7, Vassily Kapitsa6, Abdulhamid Kayumov7, Ruslan Kenzhebaev3, Enrico Mattea1, Bolot Moldobekov3, Hofiz Navruzshoev7,12, Jeannette Noetzli4, Azamat Sharshebaev3, Ryskul Usubaliev3, Daniel Vonder Mühll9, Alexandr Yegorov10 and Alexander Zubovich3 1Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland 2Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA 3Central Asian Institute of Applied Geosciences, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 4WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland 5SensAlpin, Davos, Switzerland 6Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre of category 2 under the auspices of UNESCO, Almaty Kazakhstan 7Center for Research of Glaciers of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan 8Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Khorog, Tajikistan 9ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland 10Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre, Almaty, Kazakhstan 11University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria 12University of Central Asia, Khorog, Tajikistan
How to cite: Hoelzle, M. and the CROMO-Adapt Project: Permafrost boreholes and geophysical observations in Central Asia, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-7199, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-7199, 2025.
