Tunneling in Permafrost, II

Book excerpt: During the 1960 field season, the permafrost tunnel, begun in 1959 in the Tuto area in Greenland, was extended to 605 ft and three rooms were excavated off the main drift. Mining methods and equipment are described and evaluated. The action of explosives on permafrost was investigated and various types of powder are evaluated. The use of advantages provided by the cold environment was demonstrated. A new building material permacrete, was successfully used and its application demonstrated. The glaciology of the region is re-examined in the light of evidence revealed by excavation. It is concluded that permafrost provides a safe underground shelter and that permacrete presents a most suitable material for fortification. (Author).