Mongabay · Climate & nature

New Map Tracks Arctic Lakes to Monitor Permafrost Thaw

A new interactive map called Lost Lakes allows for near real-time monitoring of approximately 4 million Arctic lakes, providing insights into the thawing of permafrost.

These lakes are vital to Arctic ecosystems and human populations. Rising temperatures cause permafrost to thaw, leading to new lakes or the sudden disappearance of existing ones.

The Lost Lakes map, developed by researchers including those at Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute, can show changes in Arctic lakes since 2016. It is accessible to both experts and the public.

Much of the Arctic ground contains ice-rich permafrost, storing vast amounts of carbon. As the Arctic warms rapidly, this permafrost thaws, potentially releasing carbon and accelerating warming.

Directly measuring permafrost thaw is difficult. However, changes in Arctic lakes, which often form or disappear with permafrost conditions, can be monitored using satellite imagery.

Lake formation occurs when rising ground temperatures cause permafrost to thaw, leading to ground subsidence and water accumulation.

The drainage of lakes can happen when channels form as surrounding permafrost thaws, allowing water to escape. This has been observed in regions like northwestern Alaska.

While Arctic lake dynamics are natural, the rate and number of changes can indicate permafrost degradation. Understanding permafrost stability is also crucial for assessing land suitability for construction.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.