Until recent decades, researchers could be confident that their numerous studies about permafrost told the tale about this frozen phenomenon.
Until recent decades, researchers could be confident that their numerous studies about permafrost told the tale about this frozen phenomenon, defined as ground that has remained at a temperature of zero degrees Celsius or less for two or more years (it’s known to underlie one-third of Canada). Then climate change began to show its effects, and in doing so destabilized the certainties of a generation of research.]
Worrying changes to the natural landscape make the new research even more imperative. As an example, in the north where mining companies used to bury by-products from their operations, thawing means that those pits are no longer seen as reliable containers. Relatively resistant to climate in the past, in 2016 the Dempster highway in the Yukon and Northwest Territories was cut in 14 places by landslides and washouts. Incidents like these signal the need not only for further study but for enhanced information sharing with researchers across disciplines.
Enter PermafrostNet, a new research network based at Carleton and involving researchers from 12 universities and over 40 partnering organizations including those in industry, Indigenous communities, and government agencies nationally and internationally. PermafrostNet was one of only two Strategic Partnership Grants for Networks awarded in 2019 by Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. Awarded $5.5 million, the new network aims to boost Canada’s ability to monitor, predict and adapt to large-scale permafrost thaw.
Continue reading at Carleton University.
Image via Luther Caverly.
