Changing Planet: Thawing Permafrost and Methane
As the Earth system warms due to rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the high latitude regions of the Earth, which have been in the deep freeze of permafrost for thousands of years, are beginning to thaw out. As the ground thaws, organic matter trapped in the ground decomposes and releases methane - a potent greenhouse gas - into the atmosphere. In addition, melting permafrost damages the infrastructure of communities and facilities at high latitudes, since these were built under the assumption that the ground would remain frozen.
Click on the video at the left to watch the NBC Learn video - Changing Planet: Thawing Permafrost.
Lesson plan: Changing Planet: Permafrost Gas Leak
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