Frozen ground and climate change: Difference between revisions
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<onlyinclude>'''Climate change | <onlyinclude>'''Climate change''' affects the Earth's '''frozen ground'''. Frozen [[soil]]s are [[Permeability|impermeable]] and help hold [[moisture]]. A thin layer of frozen soil prevents moisture in the layers below from [[Evaporation|evaporating]]. Therefore, frozen ground can help regulate the [[Hydrologic cycle|water cycle]].<ref name=RE5>"Climate and Frozen Ground | National Snow and Ice Data Center", National Snow and Ice Data Center, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/frozenground/climate.html. [Accessed: 05- Jun- 2016].</ref></onlyinclude> | ||
Frozen ground also affects the way [[carbon cycle | carbon can cycle]] through an [[ecosystem]]. Soil typically releases [[carbon]] | Frozen ground also affects the way [[carbon cycle |carbon can cycle]] through an [[ecosystem]]. Soil typically releases [[carbon]] (from decaying [[Biomass|organic material]]) into the [[atmosphere]]. This process releases [[methane]], [[carbon dioxide]], and other [[greenhouse gas]]es. If frozen soils are cold enough, they will not release carbon: so carbon tends to stay trapped in [[frozen ground]].<ref name=RE5/> Scientists predict that the quantity of carbon trapped in the frozen ground equals the amount of carbon already contained in the atmosphere.<ref name=RE5/> The additional [[gas]]es could speed up the rate of [[global warming]].<ref name=RE5/> Then, even more permafrost could thaw, releasing even more gases. This is an example of a [[positive climate feedback]] cycle, which is very dangerous for the stability of the [[climate]]. | ||
[[File:NASA scientists are flying over Alaska (36902475885).jpg|thumb|Figure 1. As part of the Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE), NASA scientists flew over Alaska and Canada, measuring the elevation of rivers and lakes to study how thawing permafrost affects hydrology in the landscape.<ref name=":0">Griffith, P. & NASA (2017). (Accessed July 13, 2026). ''Kuskokwim River'' [Online]. Available: https://science.nasa.gov/resource/kuskokwim-river/</ref>]] | |||
When [[permafrost]] thaws, the [[ice]] (which is frozen in the soil) converts to liquid [[water]]. Note that: the soil itself doesn't melt, it just thaws.<ref name="RE5" /> Some water remains and forms ponds, while some flows to [[river]]s and [[ocean]]s. Under typical conditions, the frozen layer of soil keeps water from sinking into the ground and percolating away.<ref name=":0" /> As permafrost thaws, the water has new ways to move between rivers and lakes, which can raise or lower the elevation of the bodies of water.<ref name=":0" /> These changes in water levels will have effects on Arctic life: plants, animals, and humans.<ref name=":0" /> See Figure 1 on the right. | |||
If all the permafrost in the world thawed, it could release enough water to raise global sea levels by 3 cm to 10 cm.<ref name="RE5" /> This [[rising sea level|rise in sea level]] is enough that cities along coastlines might have to build walls to keep the sea out, or people would have to move to higher ground. | |||
As the Earth's climate warms, the ground warms up. Permafrost and frozen ground around the world will eventually thaw and vanish. The amount and thickness of seasonally frozen ground would also decrease. As the [[frozen ground|active layer]] in the ground becomes thicker, the landscape will change, typically weakening the land. For example, in hilly areas, when the land thaws it can trigger [[landslide]]s. In Russia and China, scientists have found that the active layer became thicker in the last 50 years.<ref name=RE5/> Specifically in Siberia, it has become 25 cm thicker than it was 50 years ago while in the Tibetan Plateau, it is up to 100 cm thicker. As the active layer becomes thicker, the permafrost layer underneath it gets thinner.<ref name=RE5/> Scientists have found that there is now 10% less frozen ground in the Northern Hemisphere than in the early 20th century.<ref name=RE5/> This 10% is equivalent to more than five million square kilometers, which is ~2/3 the size of Canada.<ref name=RE5/> Climate scientists believe land temperatures could increase 3°C to 5°C by the end of the 21st century.<ref name=RE5/> If that were to happen, frozen ground and permafrost that is between 0°C and -2.5°C would thaw, mostly impacting warmer permafrost found in high mountain ranges, the Tibetan Plateau, and the interior of Alaska.<ref name=RE5/> | As the Earth's climate warms, the ground warms up. [[Permafrost]] and [[frozen ground]] around the world will eventually thaw and vanish. The amount and thickness of seasonally frozen ground would also decrease. As the [[frozen ground#Natural Heat Sources|active layer]] in the ground becomes thicker, the landscape will change, typically weakening the land. For example, in hilly areas, when the land thaws it can trigger [[landslide]]s. In Russia and China, scientists have found that the active layer became thicker in the last 50 years.<ref name=RE5/> Specifically in Siberia, it has become 25 cm thicker than it was 50 years ago while in the Tibetan Plateau, it is up to 100 cm thicker. As the active layer becomes thicker, the permafrost layer underneath it gets thinner.<ref name=RE5/> Scientists have found that there is now 10% less frozen ground in the Northern Hemisphere than in the early 20th century.<ref name=RE5/> This 10% is equivalent to more than five million square kilometers, which is ~2/3 the size of Canada.<ref name=RE5/> Climate scientists believe land temperatures could increase 3°C to 5°C by the end of the 21st century.<ref name=RE5/> If that were to happen, frozen ground and permafrost that is between 0°C and -2.5°C would thaw, mostly impacting warmer permafrost found in high mountain ranges, the Tibetan Plateau, and the interior of Alaska.<ref name=RE5/> | ||
== For Further Reading == | |||
* [[Positive climate feedback]] | |||
* [[Frozen ground]] | |||
* [[Permafrost]] | |||
* [[Hydrologic cycle]] | |||
* Or explore a [[Special:Random|random page]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category: Uploaded]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:43, 4 August 2026
Climate change affects the Earth's frozen ground. Frozen soils are impermeable and help hold moisture. A thin layer of frozen soil prevents moisture in the layers below from evaporating. Therefore, frozen ground can help regulate the water cycle.[1]
Frozen ground also affects the way carbon can cycle through an ecosystem. Soil typically releases carbon (from decaying organic material) into the atmosphere. This process releases methane, carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gases. If frozen soils are cold enough, they will not release carbon: so carbon tends to stay trapped in frozen ground.[1] Scientists predict that the quantity of carbon trapped in the frozen ground equals the amount of carbon already contained in the atmosphere.[1] The additional gases could speed up the rate of global warming.[1] Then, even more permafrost could thaw, releasing even more gases. This is an example of a positive climate feedback cycle, which is very dangerous for the stability of the climate.
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When permafrost thaws, the ice (which is frozen in the soil) converts to liquid water. Note that: the soil itself doesn't melt, it just thaws.[1] Some water remains and forms ponds, while some flows to rivers and oceans. Under typical conditions, the frozen layer of soil keeps water from sinking into the ground and percolating away.[2] As permafrost thaws, the water has new ways to move between rivers and lakes, which can raise or lower the elevation of the bodies of water.[2] These changes in water levels will have effects on Arctic life: plants, animals, and humans.[2] See Figure 1 on the right.
If all the permafrost in the world thawed, it could release enough water to raise global sea levels by 3 cm to 10 cm.[1] This rise in sea level is enough that cities along coastlines might have to build walls to keep the sea out, or people would have to move to higher ground.
As the Earth's climate warms, the ground warms up. Permafrost and frozen ground around the world will eventually thaw and vanish. The amount and thickness of seasonally frozen ground would also decrease. As the active layer in the ground becomes thicker, the landscape will change, typically weakening the land. For example, in hilly areas, when the land thaws it can trigger landslides. In Russia and China, scientists have found that the active layer became thicker in the last 50 years.[1] Specifically in Siberia, it has become 25 cm thicker than it was 50 years ago while in the Tibetan Plateau, it is up to 100 cm thicker. As the active layer becomes thicker, the permafrost layer underneath it gets thinner.[1] Scientists have found that there is now 10% less frozen ground in the Northern Hemisphere than in the early 20th century.[1] This 10% is equivalent to more than five million square kilometers, which is ~2/3 the size of Canada.[1] Climate scientists believe land temperatures could increase 3°C to 5°C by the end of the 21st century.[1] If that were to happen, frozen ground and permafrost that is between 0°C and -2.5°C would thaw, mostly impacting warmer permafrost found in high mountain ranges, the Tibetan Plateau, and the interior of Alaska.[1]
For Further Reading
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Climate and Frozen Ground | National Snow and Ice Data Center", National Snow and Ice Data Center, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/frozenground/climate.html. [Accessed: 05- Jun- 2016].
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Griffith, P. & NASA (2017). (Accessed July 13, 2026). Kuskokwim River [Online]. Available: https://science.nasa.gov/resource/kuskokwim-river/