Visualization of melting and deformation of ice-embedded porous media as an analogue for permafrost thaw dynamics

Permafrost thaw plays a critical role in shaping Arctic landscapes and influencing the global climate system by driving ground deformation and releasing trapped greenhouse gases. However, the mechanisms by which ice melting and subsequent meltwater drainage induce deformation of the porous media remain poorly understood.

To address this knowledge gap, we conduct controlled laboratory experiments using a Hele-Shaw cell packed with glass beads and ice as an analogue to permafrost soil. We investigate two idealized end members of permafrost soil: (1) an ice lens embedded within the glass bead pack, and (2) dispersed, spherical ice particles mixed with glass beads. In both cases, the system is gradually warmed to ambient temperature to initiate melting. Using time-lapse imaging, we visualize the dynamic evolution of the ice and liquid water within the porous media and the resulting reordering and deformation of the glass bead pack.



This approach allows us to elucidate how phase change, meltwater flow, and matrix deformation are coupled, and how microscale ice structures contribute to macroscopic permafrost thaw behavior. Our findings help bridge the gap between small-scale laboratory observations and field-scale permafrost dynamics, offering insights into how thawing processes may reshape cold-region landscapes under climate change.