Melting permafrost causing tundra to slip below sea level in northern Alaska.
Mario Pilz writes.
Tundra that is slipping below sea level, an area of low-centered polygons where thaw subsidence is allowing ingress of the sea. Source: CoastView Travel APP via Shorezone
LEO says:
Warming temperatures are causing permafrost thaw across Alaska. According to the report, titled "Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic 2017," the permafrost layer near the surface in the High Arctic has warmed approximately 0.5 degrees Celsius since 2007-2009. The layer of ground that thaws during the summer months has reached deeper than previous measurements. Melting permafrost can cause several changes to the landscape, such as thermokarst lakes seen in the photos. As permafrost thaws in certain areas, the ground may sink and water will accumulate.
This observation has been forwarded to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, for more information on permafrost trends in this area, and also to NOAA National Geodetic Survey for more information on the impact of sea level rise in this area.
Resources:
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has contributed to an Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) report titled, "Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic 2017." This report covers a variety of topics associated with warming trends in the Arctic, including snow cover, sea ice, permafrost, land ice and sea level rise. This report can be found online.
ShoreZone - Photo Snapshots | CoastView LLC.
Between Fish Creek and Nechelik Channel, Harrison Bay, Beaufort Sea, North Slope | August 6, 2012 | Lat: 70 21' 26" N Lon: 151 11' 58" W
ShoreZone | Photo Snapshots
Between Fish Creek and Nechelik Channel, Harrison Bay, Beaufort Sea, North Slope | August 6, 2012 | Lat: 70 21' 30" N Lon: 151 12' 47" W
ShoreZone - Photo Snapshots | CoastView LLC.
Between Fish Creek and Nechelik Channel, Harrison Bay, Beaufort Sea, North Slope | August 6, 2012. Lat: 70 21' 52" N Lon: 151 12' 43" W
ShoreZone - Photo Snapshots | CoastView LLC.