Alaska's Thawing Permafrost: Impacts and Future Projections

Explore a 43-minute press conference from the AGU Fall Meeting 2015 that delves into the critical issue of thawing permafrost in Alaska. Learn about new findings and projections regarding permafrost degradation, its impact on ecological systems and infrastructure, and the development of a permafrost forecast system. Gain insights from a panel of expert scientists, including Vladimir Romanovsky, Santosh Panda, and Kevin Schaefer, as they discuss the consequences of permafrost thaw in a region where 80 percent of the land is covered by frozen soil. Discover how climate warming is affecting Alaska's permafrost, the release of carbon into the atmosphere, and the challenges faced in the Brooks Range. Understand concepts such as the active layer, subsidence, and the use of gravel pads in construction. Conclude with a science forum and Q&A session addressing permafrost temperatures and global warming implications.