Permafrost thawing in Alaska A leading geophysicist believes that recent temperature rises in Alaska indicate that the permafrost will thaw in some parts by 2070, releasing methane gas into the atmosphere and exacerbating climate change ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vladimir Romanovsky, Professor of Geophysics at University of Alaska, says rises in permafrost temperatures in past four years have convinced him global warming is real ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WHAT IS PERMAFROST? Frozen soil or rock remaining below 0°C for at least two years Depth range: 1m to 1,500m below surface ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Continuous permafrost Discontinuous permafrost Sporadic permafrost Isolated patches Alaska CANADA Arctic Ocean North Pole RUSSIA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thaw could release methane – powerful greenhouse gas – frozen in permafrost potentially doubling amount of carbon currently in atmosphere ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sources: BBC, International Permafrost Association, University of Alaska Fairbanks words 126