A team of scientists working with local residents has detailed the rapidly accelerating “catastrophic” permafrost thawing and infrastructure damage at the northern Alaska coastal community of Point Lay.
A team of scientists working with local residents has detailed the rapidly accelerating “catastrophic” permafrost thawing and infrastructure damage at the northern Alaska coastal community of Point Lay.
The rapid ground subsidence, caused by human actions and a changing climate, has extensively damaged local infrastructure and caused other public health and safety hazards, according to the work led by University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers.
Community members and researchers cite a long list of problems: unstable foundations; water and sewer failures; road hazards; listing power poles; and unmoored fire hydrants.
Read More at: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Most of Point Lay’s residential area sits on permafrost that is rapidly thawing. The subsiding ground exposes more of each building’s support pilings. (Photo Credit: Benjamin Jones/UAF)
