Permafrosts

Exposed permafrost sediments and ice wedges in spring at a bluff near the Itkillik River, northern Alaska. These frozen permafrost sediments contain 50% more carbon than found in the atmosphere but can decompose if they warm and thaw. Credit: Jens Strauss, Alfred Wegener Institute Permafrost, or ground that is frozen for two or more years, stretches over about 14 million square kilometers in the Northern Hemisphere, 15% of the…

Recent Dartmouth research underscores the significant influence of Arctic permafrost on the formation of northernmost rivers and highlights the risks of substantial carbon release due to climate change-induced thawing. By analyzing thousands of watersheds, the study reveals the unique characteristics of Arctic river valleys and stresses the importance of understanding these landscapes in the face of global warming. Credit: SciTechDaily.comAs the Arctic warms, the growth of rivers could release carbon emissions equivalent…