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Permafrost

 

 

Permafrost refers to a layer of soil or rock that is frozen all year round. Permafrost is found throughout much of Alaska, parts of Canada, and other countries in the far north. As air temperature rises, so does the temperature of the ground, which can cause permafrost to thaw.

 

Remote sensing is a critical tool for monitoring freezing and thawing of permafrost over large and distant areas.

 

Permafrost is one of the keys to the planet's future.

Achim Steiner, Head of UNEP

 

To me, it’s a spine-tingling feeling, if it’s really old carbon that hasn’t been in the air for a long time, and now it’s entering the air. That’s the fingerprint of a major disruption, and we aren’t going to be able to turn it off someday.

Edward A. G. Schuur, University of Florida

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