Thawing Ancient Permafrost Shown To Rapidly Become Carbon Dioxide

Environment





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katalinks/Shutterstock

The Alaska permafrost is melting. Although you may not have heard of permafrost – hydrated soil that has remained below freezing 0°C (32°F) for two or more years – it is in actual fact a vanguard against one of the most potent greenhouse gases: methane. Large methane stores are locked up beneath the world’s permafrost, and increasing atmospheric temperatures is unleashing it on the world.