Is Permafrost Really Permanent? Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen—32°F (0°C) or colder—for at least two years straight. These permanently frozen grounds are most common in regions with high mountains and in Earth’s higher latitudes—near the North and South Poles. Permafrost covers large regions of the Earth. Can melting permafrost cause irreversible change?
Why Is Thawing Permafrost Dangerous? As permafrost thaws, microbes begin decomposing this material. This process releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane to the atmosphere. When permafrost thaws, so do ancient bacteria and viruses in the ice and soil. These newly-unfrozen microbes could make humans and animals very sick. What is bad about thawing
Can Permafrost Melting Be Reversed? Can permafrost melting be reversed? But unlike drained peatlands, thawing permafrost cannot be reversed in a human’s lifetime while the global temperature keeps increasing. Moreover, when permafrost thaws, so do ancient bacteria and viruses in the ice and soil. Can the melting permafrost be stopped? The cold air stops the