Research
Airborne imaging explores a mosaic of thawing permafrost
Phys.org ·
The Brief
- Permafrost in many northern regions of Earth is thawing.
- Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases, threatens infrastructure, and can alter landscapes and ecosystems.
- The Arctic and subarctic are vast, making a comprehensive picture of permafrost distribution difficult to obtain; the story covers an airborne imaging approach to mapping it.
Why it matters
Permafrost thaw feeds greenhouse gas release and affects infrastructure and ecosystems, so accurate maps of where permafrost lies matter for climate and environmental science.
Who’s affected
- climate and permafrost researchers
- people concerned with Arctic and subarctic infrastructure and ecosystems
Permafrost in many of Earth's northern regions is thawing, a process that unlocks greenhouse gases, threatens infrastructure, and could alter landscapes and ecosystems. The Arctic and subarctic are vast, and gaining a comprehensive picture of permafrost distribution is difficult…