Permafrostscienceproject

Melting Permafrost

When permafrost melts, the land above it sinks or changes shape.When permafrost melts, ground water is released which can cause erosion and land slides.

Thawing permafrost releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.Thawing permafrost increases the Arctic global average climate warming.

Atmosphere

Melting permafrost causes a rise in sea level. Thermokarst forms, which can make new rivers and form pits prone to flooding.

Sinking land can cause trees to fall or lean.Vegetation roots are shallower, so they are seseptable to soil changes.

Geosphere

1950

Hydrosphere

Biosphere