The dynamics of permafrost soils is manifest in the soil temperature which can be measured with high accuracy and high temporal resolution. Using continuous data over a period of 778 days from a mineral hummock field at the Bayelva site, Svalbard, we deduce and quantify the processes which constitute the dynamics. In particular, conductive heat flux, generation of heat from phase transitions, and migration of water vapor are analyzed. Support for the interpretation of the data comes from high-resolution time domain reflectometry measurements of the liquid water content. ¿ 2001 American Geophysical Union