The Impact of Permafrost Thaw on Methane Release

Permafrost, which covers more than 20% of the Northern Hemisphere, contains vast amounts of carbon that can be released into the atmosphere due to warming. The release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is directly related to permafrost thaw and affects the Arctic's sea ice, marine life, and overall climate. Monitoring permafrost is challenging as it requires information from below the surface, which is difficult to obtain from satellites. By studying proxies like subground temperature and surface expressions, scientists try to estimate permafrost changes and detect terrain changes, lakes appearing or disappearing, and shifts in vegetation indicating permafrost degradation. Although satellite data limitations exist, recent advances have improved spatial resolution, allowing researchers to track permafrost changes more accurately.