| Term: | Altitudinal zonation of permafrost |
| Definition: | The vertical subdivision of an area of Mountain Permafrost into Permafrost zones, based on the proportion of the ground that is perennially cryotic. As mean annual temperatures decrease with increasing elevation, Mountain Permafrost can be expected to be more extensive, thicker and colder at higher elevations, although aspect and the extent of vegetation and Snow Cover will moderate this effect. |