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¨Permafrost is ground that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years. It is composed of rock, soil, sediments, and varying amounts of ice that bind the elements together¨- Earth institute columbia university

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The Arctic permafrost stores one of the largest natural reservoirs of organic carbon in the world in its frozen soils. But once thawed, soil microbes in the permafrost can turn that carbon into the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane, which then enters into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

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¨Scientists revealed it could also release massive amounts of mercury — a potent neurotoxin and serious threat to human health.¨- Washington Post

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ClimateWatch: Toxic mercury could be released into atmosphere if Arctic soil thaws

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Melting of permafrost causes the ground to become unstable and cause buildings to be unsafe

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Melting of permafrost causes the ground to become unstable and cause buildings to be unsafe

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If this ice wedge melts the ground will collapse and create a hole.  

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If this ice wedge melts the ground will collapse and create a hole.  

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85 percent of Alaska, 55 percent of Russia and Canada, and probably all of Antarctica. Permafrost is more widespread and extends to greater depths in the north than in the south.

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This figure shows how annual average temperatures in the contiguous 48 states have changed since 1901. Surface data come from land-based weather stations. Satellite measurements cover the lower troposphere, which is the lowest level of the Earth’s atmosphere. “UAH” and “RSS” represent two different methods of analyzing the original satellite measurements. This graph uses the 1901–2000 average as a baseline for depicting change. Choosing a different baseline period would not change the shape of the data over time.

Data source: NOAA, 2016¹
Web update: August 2016

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As the global thermostat rises more and more permafrost will thaw, releasing planet heating emissions. With those planet heating emissions trapping more warmth, more permafrost will thaw releasing more carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere; trapping us in cycle where the output enhances the original stimulus.