permafrost thaw
Frozen ground softening
Permafrost thaw is the melting of permanently frozen ground in Arctic and subarctic regions.
As global temperatures rise, soil that has been frozen for thousands of years begins to soften and release trapped methane and carbon dioxide.
The process destabilizes infrastructure built on frozen ground and accelerates climate change: Permafrost thaw is creating sinkholes across Siberian tundra.
- meltingSolid-to-liquid transition
- methane emissionsGreenhouse gas discharge
- subsidenceGradual ground sinking
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- climate crisisDestabilizing atmospheric heating
frozen soil · feedback loop · meltwater · erosion · seepage · greenhouse gases · greenhouse effect · zombie fires · squelch · ice · habitat loss · Arctic · mud · wet · sinking · tundra · unstable · climate