Presenter(s): Ellen Scharff − English
Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland
Poster 181
Research Area: Natural Science
Much of the ground in polar areas such as Alaska consists of permafrost, a subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout most of the year. Alaskan tundra vegetation, wildlife, and infrastructure rely on the preservation of permafrost, which is made of frozen soil, rock, and water. Rising global temperatures have resulted in thaw settlement: the compression of ground due to thawing. Typically, thaw settlement is a seasonal occurrence, but several studies have observed an abrupt uptick in the extent of permafrost thaw and subsequent ground compression. This research compiles and synthesises the results of various studies of permafrost degradation and thaw settlement in central and coastal Alaska. Data from these studies shows a significant increase in permafrost active layer depth and clear compression of thawed soil. The implications of settlement on carbon dioxide release, vegetation, and infrastructure are outlined by the studies, as well as a consensus on climatic and ecological changes as the cause. By cultivating an awareness of the sources and hazards of permafrost settlement, measures can be enacted on vulnerable areas in order to mitigate degradation.