Permafrost

Permafrost is ground that remains completely frozen for at least two consecutive years. It's typically found in high-latitude regions like the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as in high-altitude areas.

This frozen ground can consist of soil, sediment, and rock, often containing ice crystals. The presence of permafrost significantly influences landscapes, hydrology, and ecosystems.

It affects infrastructure development, as thawing permafrost can cause ground subsidence and damage buildings and pipelines.

The frozen state also locks away vast amounts of organic carbon, and its thawing releases this carbon, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate change.

The depth of permafrost varies greatly depending on location and climate, and understanding its properties is vital for comprehending and mitigating the impacts of a warming world.

Permafrost meaning with examples

• The scientists drilled deep into the Alaskan permafrost to extract ice cores for climate analysis, hoping to understand past atmospheric conditions.
• Construction projects in regions with permafrost, like the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, require specialized engineering to prevent thawing and ground instability.
• The thawing of permafrost in Siberia is releasing significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
• The unique ecosystems in permafrost regions, supporting specially adapted plants and animals, are highly vulnerable to climate change.
• Researchers are monitoring the active layer – the surface layer of soil that thaws annually – to assess the impacts of changing permafrost conditions.

Permafrost Synonyms

cryosol (less common) frozen ground permanent frost

Permafrost Antonyms

non-frozen ground thawing ground unfrozen soil